A woman who fatally shot and tried to rob an “intelligent” and “kind” 28-year-old actuary in Lincoln Park misled police by calling 911 to report that the suspects had fled in the wrong direction, relatives and Cook County prosecutors said Friday.
Despite the ruse, prosecutors eventually charged 25-year-old Josalyn Fowler in the April 16 death of Kevin Patel that a Cook County judge called “an incredibly violent offense, and random.”
Prosecutors said they pinned Fowler to the crime by using ballistic evidence, facial recognition, CTA surveillance video, cellphone location data and positive identification from four people from her former high school.
Fowler appeared in court Friday on murder and attempted armed robbery charges in the death of Patel, an actuary who prosecutors said was walking to his home on the 800 block of West Lill Avenue when he was attacked and killed on a sidewalk.
Patel passed Fowler and her cousin on a sidewalk on that block, but Fowler turned around moments later and approached Patel with a gun extended, Assistant State’s Attorney Mike Pekara said in court.
Fowler grabbed his backpack from behind, and the two began to struggle, Pekara said. A couple items fell from his bag during the fight. As he turned out and stepped back, Fowler pointed a handgun and shot him once in the chest, Pekara said.
Several neighbors who rushed outside after the shooting tried to help Patel by putting pressure on his wound until paramedics got there.
A witness who was at home on that block heard Fowler say that she and her cousin needed to get out of there, Pekara said.
Fowler and her cousin ran east and arrived at the CTA Red Line Fullerton station where they boarded a southbound train, Pekara said. While on the train, Fowler allegedly called 911 and reported a shooting, but lied, saying the suspects had run west.
They eventually got off the train in the Loop and got into a waiting car a few blocks away, Pekara said.
On Lill Avenue, witnesses had called for paramedics, who took Patel to a hospital where he later was pronounced dead.
U.S. marshals arrested Fowler Tuesday outside her home in south suburban Thornton, according to police. Also arrested was her cousin, who identified Fowler in photos as the shooter, Pekara said. No charges have been filed against the cousin.
Fowler’s attorney questioned how the confrontation actually played out, and said Fowler tried to help the victim by calling police but was simply confused about directions, since she does not live in that part of town.
Judge Mary Marubio did not buy it. She said if Fowler actually tried to help, Fowler could have said she herself had left the scene instead of referring to “offenders” in an “attempt to mislead and misdirect” police.
Marubio pointed to “significant” evidence against her and ordered her held pending trial.
“This is an incredibly violent offense, and random,” she said.
As of Friday afternoon a GoFundMe created by Patel’s brother, Neil, had raised nearly $20,000 of a $30,000 goal, of which Patel said will be given 100% to finding justice and to causes that will make an impact to reduce violence.
A “devastated” Neil Patel said Kevin, his younger brother, was “tragically shot and killed 50 feet from his apartment.”
“Kevin was intelligent, kind, caring, and loving to anyone he met,” Neil Patel said in the GoFundMe post. “He always looked for the best in people and had a positive influence on his friends, family, colleagues, and strangers he encountered throughout his life. His bright future was cut short due to the unlawful and senseless acts committed by others.”
“From an early age, it was clear that he had a bright mind, generous heart, and the spirit to put smiles on everyone’s face,” an obituary said of Patel. “Those who remember Kevin know he never had anything bad or negative to say about anyone he encountered.
“Kevin excelled throughout his academic career. His brilliance showed from achieving his national honors society at Perkiomen Valley High School, to his undergraduate degree in Mathematics from the University of Wisconsin,” the obituary states. “His passion for math and numbers kept him driven to find a successful career as an Actuary, and eventually receiving his Associates of the Society of Actuaries (ASA) designation.
“Kevin was passionate about so many things, most notably Philadelphia sports (especially his Philadelphia Eagles), having a healthy lifestyle, and enjoying life’s smallest moments. For Kevin, the World never seemed too big or intimidating. He took life day by day, striving for daily progress, and making the little things count to whomever he touched that day. Kevin’s life was a gift.”
Fowler is due back in court May 14.