A venue known for its marriage of music and wine became the scene of a deadly altercation Wednesday, as a City Winery employee fatally stabbed a co-worker in Chicago's West Loop. The incident occurred at around 5 p.m., resulting in a 47-year-old male victim succumbing to multiple stab wounds after being rushed to Stroger Hospital in critical condition, as reported by the Chicago Tribune.
Following the chaotic scene at the venue on the 1200 block of West Randolph Street, authorities confirmed that the alleged 41-year-old assailant was taken into custody. In a detail that hints at an internal dispute gone horribly wrong, a Chicago Fire Department spokesperson revealed to ABC 7 Chicago that both the victim and attacker were coworkers at City Winery, although it was still unclear whether they held employment status or were subcontracted.
Following the ordeal, the trendy spot, patronized by those eager for an evening of sound and sip, remained closed on Thursday, but primed to reopen for Friday performances. The upcoming shows, featuring Boney James, are expected to go on as scheduled, with the sold-out crowd being assured by City Winery CEO Michael Dorf of the venue's readiness. "Thank you for your understanding," Dorf conveyed, with plans to offer counseling for the team in the wake of the traumatic event and bring senior staff from New York to support the Chicago team, as cited in the ABC 7 Chicago conversation.
This burst of violence, interrupting an otherwise ordinary Wednesday schedule, forced the cancellation of a set by West Side native and R&B artist Danny Boy Steward. Caught off guard by the incident while conducting a sound check, he later recounted in a statement obtained by ABC 7 Chicago, "I didn't know anything because we were in the back doing a sound check, and the front part of the building was blocked off." The implications of this tragic event stretch far beyond the immediate disarray and inconvenience—a colleague lost, a sense of safety pierced, and a reminder that violence can breach even the quarters of joy and celebration.
