Suraj M. Mahadeva, 26, was shot dead on December 11, 2021, in the Palmer Square neighborhood of Chicago. He had been standing on the porch of a friend’s home near Albany and Dickens avenues in the early morning, about 3:25 a.m., when he was shot in the head. Suraj was taken to Mt. Sinai Hospital and was pronounced dead shortly after 4:00 a.m.

Suraj was of Sri Lankan and Filipino descent, a neuroscience graduate who worked as a medical clinician. He volunteered as a swim instructor and was an outspoken advocate for LGBTQ rights; friends and family described him as charismatic, effervescent, and someone who loved dancing and bringing joy to others. Loved ones have voiced concerns that the killing may have been execution-style rather than a random act, but no arrests have been announced and the Chicago Police Department is investigating.

A memorial service at the Center on Halsted drew more than 100 people, and a GoFundMe was set up to help his family. If anyone has information about what happened that night, please share it with the Chicago Police Department.