'Very disturbing': Man fatally stabbed trying to stop attacker in Edgewater; suspect in custody
CHICAGO - A Good Samaritan was stabbed to death in Edgewater Wednesday night while trying to stop an attacker from hurting two others.
One person was taken into custody Thursday, according to police.
Crime scene tape outside of Foster Beach Apartments was the aftermath of a knife attack that left the person trying to stop it – dead.
"It’s very disturbing," said Ray Blunt, who lives in Edgewater.
At approximately 11:41 p.m. on Wednesday, police said a woman pulled a knife on a man and woman on the sidewalk in the 5200 block of North Sheridan Road.
That’s when a Good Samaritan stepped in – putting his own life in danger to help.
He prevented the couple from getting hurt, but in the process, the knife-wielding woman stabbed him in the chest, according to police. The Good Samaritan was transported to St. Francis where he was pronounced.
"You live in America, and you want to help because America’s about helping," said Blunt. "It’s really sad that in today’s society, you really can’t help anybody anymore because you don’t know what’s going to happen to you."
Neighbors, on Thursday, were left on edge by the violent attack.
"It’s tragic," said Suzy Dooley, who lives in Edgewater. "I think that there are a lot of people in this area that need more mental health care than they’re getting, and they live all among us, and all around us."
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On Thursday morning, police and SWAT officers were seen going into the Wyndham Apartments on the same block.
Detectives were there again Thursday night.
An email to tenants from the building's management team confirmed that the suspect lived at the Wyndham Apartments and was arrested.
The email, obtained by FOX 32 Chicago, said, in part: "Most of you might already be aware there was a heavy police presence in the building this morning. Just an update to say the tenant in question is in police custody and we should be back to normal later this afternoon."
Ald. Harry Osterman, who represents Edgewater, said this is the neighborhood’s first homicide of 2023.
"We thank those neighbors who reached out and called the police, and called the ambulance last night," said Osterman. "I think the whole situation is a tragic one. I really feel for the victim, the victim's family and friends. We're working to make sure that our community continues to be safe, but last night highlights that violence happens everywhere and we just have to work together to reduce the violence in our city."
Charges against the suspect are still pending.