Loyola student Mutahir Rauf fatally shot during attempted robbery

CHICAGO (WLS) -- A vigil was held Saturday night for Loyola student Mutahir Rauf, 23, who was fatally shot during an attempted robbery in the city's Rogers Park neighborhood Friday night.

Rauf, who was from Pakistan, was walking with his brother when they were approached by two men in the 1200-block of West Albion around 7:50 p.m. Friday, police said. The suspects allegedly displayed a handgun, demanding the students' belongings.

According to Ald. Joe Moore, Rauf thought the weapon was fake and tried to reach for it; he was then shot in the chest and head, police said.

"Apparently the young victim thought for whatever reason that the gun wasn't real, went to grab it, a struggle ensued and it went off," Moore said.

To honor Rauf, students who had already planned an anti-violence march for Sunday morning, have decided to incorporate a stop past the place where Rauf lost his life. Their message to the student community is clear.

"Don't let this scare you, don't let this make you afraid. this is still our community," Loyola student Amber Johnson said.

"It's someone that won't get to realize their dreams and their full potential; that makes you sad that they made it this far and it gets cut short by the actions of somebody else," said Joseph Bailey, a Loyola student.

School officials encourage students in need to seek out the university's Wellness Center, Campus Ministry or Student Development staff members, who were being made available until 11:30 p.m. Saturday.

The university has planned or made changes to the following events:

• Prayer for Mutahir and his family during the Prayers for the Faithful at Sunday's 10:30 a.m. Mass in Madonna della Strada Chapel
• Saturday's Polar Palooza event will take place, but Sunday's palooza plans have been cancelled; in its place, everyone is invited to join students in a Walk of Remembrance, which will follow the 10:30 a.m. Sunday Mass
• Prayer for nonviolence at Mundelein Center Auditorium, 3 p.m. on Dec. 10

"We are deeply saddened by this tragic situation, and we ask that you keep this student's family in your thoughts and prayers," school officials said in a statement.

Police said nobody is in custody and the investigation is ongoing.