Over $30,000 raised in GoFundMe for family of slain Filipino-Sri Lankan in Chicago
A GoFundMe campaign launched for the family of Filipino-Sri Lankan Suraj Mahadeva, who was shot to death in Palmer Square in Chicago last Saturday, Dec. 11, has already raised $30,052 in donations as of Thursday, Dec. 23.
The GoFundMe project was initiated by his cousin, Anika Mahadeva, on Friday, Dec. 17.
“Suraj was a dedicated medical clinician at a dermatology office in which he was aspiring to become a physician’s assistant. He was passionate about his Sri Lankan and Filipino cultural heritage and was an active member in both the Asian and lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender, and queer (LGBTQ+) community...Please help us honor his memory and continue his amazing influence on the world. Suraj is survived by his father, mother, sister, aunts, uncles, cousins, and many friends,” wrote Anika Mahadeva in her GoFundMe post.

Meanwhile, Chicago WGN9 reported that over 100 people attended a public vigil for Mahadeva held in “Center on Halsted”, an LGBTQ+ community center in Chicago on Thursday, Dec. 16.
According to the Chicago Police Department (CPD), Mahadeva, who was visiting a friend's home at the time, was standing on the porch at around 3:25 a.m. on Dec. 11 when he was shot.
Mahadeva was later found by his friend lying on the porch with a gunshot wound in the head. He was rushed to the hospital where he was pronounced dead on arrival.
Suraj Mahadeva was 26 years old when he was killed. He was a medical clinician and a resident of Chicago.
Mahadeva’s killing is currently being investigated by the CPD.