Police name suspect in killing of student near Temple

Police are seeking a North Philadelphia man who they say killed a Penn State Abington student for his motorcycle near Temple University last week.

Homicide Capt. James Clark said Jeffrey Little, 19, of the 2100 block of North Marvine Street, shot Mohan Varughese, 23, for his red Kawasaki. Varughese was killed May 9 while visiting his girlfriend, a Temple student, at a house on Camac Street a few blocks north of the campus.

Varughese and his girlfriend were sitting with friends on the front steps when Little put a gun to Varughese's face and demanded the keys to the motorcycle parked at the curb, Clark said.

Varughese said, "Don't do this," police said.

Little, who lived around the corner, then shot Varughese in the chest and face for not moving fast enough, Clark said. He did not take the motorcycle.

Varughese, of Bustleton, had bought the bike with tips he made as a Center City valet. He was due to graduate with a degree in psychology two days after his death and had recently landed a job as a mental-health counselor at the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania.

On graduation day, Varughese's two brothers accepted his diploma after a moment of silence for the slain student.

Little is described as 5 feet, 9 inches tall, 160 pounds, and heavily tattooed, with a teardrop under his left eye and "RIP Katie" on his neck. He has three previous drug arrests, records show.

The U.S. Marshal's Service has offered a $2,500 reward for information leading to Little's arrest, Clark said. Tipsters can call the Homicide Unit at 215-686-3334.

Family and friends of Varughese also have started a reward fund. For more information, go to www.mohanfund.com.