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Who was Milan Loncar? One arrested after girlfriend cries for ‘soulmate’ Philly man, 25, shot dead while walking dog

A $20,000 reward is said to be given to the person who can help with the whereabouts of the suspects

BREWERYTOWN, PHILADELPHIA: A vigil was held on Friday, January 15 night for a Temple University graduate, who was gunned down while walking his dog in Brewerytown. Family and friends assembled with candles to remember the 25-year-old. 

Milan Loncar was out walking his dachshund-Chihuahua mix dog, Roo, on Wednesday, January 13 evening when two suspects who tried to rob him, searched him and when they found nothing, they killed him. Loncar had every opportunity to run away and with no chance that he could physically overpower them, but they still gunned him down on his chest. 

Warning: Distressing video content

Police said Loncar tried calling for help, then dropped his phone. When they arrived, he was still holding onto his dog’s leash. In the surveillance video from the incident, the suspects can be seen walking down the sidewalk when they suddenly accosted Loncar. Later, one suspect can be seen shooting him down. A $20,000 reward has been announced for the person who can help with the whereabouts of the suspects.

Family members had revealed that Milan's house keys and cell phone were found at the scene. He didn't have his wallet on him - he'd left it at home. 

Who was Milan Loncar?

Milan was a recent graduate of Temple University and worked in construction management. His girlfriend, Olivia Gorski called him her 'soulmate' as she broke down in tears during his vigil. "He was my soulmate, and I don't think I have a plan anymore without him," Gorski, said at his vigil, fighting tears while being comforted by Milan's mother, Amy Lounsberry. The couple was planning to move in together, next month. Gorski also told The Daily Mail, that there would have been a wedding as well. Amy described her son as a 'beloved sweet boy just starting his life.'

“He’s selfless, constantly smiling. ... He’s so charismatic and kind,” sister Jelena Loncar, 27, who lived a few blocks away from her brother told the Inquirer. Speaking to CBS Philadelphia she suggested because her brother didn't have any money on him and wasn't carrying a weapon, he couldn't have been targeted. Instead, she believes the incident 'was intentional, just to kill him'.

Keya Sadeghipour, dean of Temple’s College of Engineering, said in a statement: “Our college grieves for a life cut short in such a senseless manner.” 

Over $52,000 of the $25,000 goal

A GoFundMe fundraiser has been set up, titled, 'Milan Loncar's Reward Fund', which says, “Money raised will be used to increase the offered reward, in order to incentivize someone to come forward with what they know.” The fundraiser has raised over $52,000 of the $25,000 goal.

The fundraiser reads, “Just before 7 pm on January 13, while walking his small dog, Roo, 25-year-old Milan Loncar was murdered in cold blood. When approached by two individuals, Milan did not fight back. He complied as they searched his pockets at gunpoint, just a block from his own home. When it became apparent that Milan did not have anything deemed valuable on him, they killed him. With every opportunity to run away and no chance that Milan could physically overpower them – they STILL chose to shoot him in the chest at point blank range. Unmistakably, the intent of a gunshot wound to the chest is not to injure, it is meant to be fatal.”

It also says, “His murderers didn’t know Milan. They didn’t know what a deep void this would create in those who knew him and what a profound loss this would be for those who had yet to meet him. What they did know however was that, he was alone, and he would not be able to defend himself.  There is no place in society for those who view a young man walking his dog as nothing more than a means to an end.”

Who shot Milan Loncar?

According to the latest reports, a man has been arrested in connection with the murder. Philadelphia Police arrested one person in Brewerytown earlier this week. Reports indicate there would be murder charges and also say that a second suspect is still sought. As of now, no details about the suspects have been released. 

CBS3 Philadelphia reporter Joe Holden tweeted that two people had been taken into custody and three siblings were brought in for questioning.

“Philadelphia Police say two people have been taken into custody in the Wednesday evening homicide of Milan Loncar, who was walking his dog when his killers tried to rob him and instead shot him and took off. The department has not identified the defendants,” one tweet read and another said, “UPDATE: Philadelphia Homicide Unit tells me 3 siblings brought in for questioning in fatal shooting/attempted robbery of Milan Loncar. Investigators say one of them will be charged with murder. Detectives are still seeking 2nd murder suspect at this time, per homicide.”

Police are asking for the public's help in providing details about the incident, which they are calling an apparent robbery.

Anyone with details about the shooting is asked to contact the homicide unit at 215-686-3334 or the police tip line at 215-686-TIPS (8477) or email tips@phillypolice.com. There is a $20,000 reward for information leading to an arrest and conviction.