A 36-year-old man was stabbed during a fight aboard a CTA Blue Line train in downtown Chicago on Wednesday evening, turning a routine ride into a crime scene. He suffered cuts to his neck and the left side of his body and was taken to Stroger Hospital in fair condition, according to police. The suspected attacker ran off near the LaSalle station, and Area 3 detectives have opened an investigation.
What police say
Investigators were told the confrontation broke out shortly before 7:30 p.m. on a Blue Line train near the LaSalle stop, when another passenger pulled out a sharp object and struck the victim before fleeing. The injured rider was taken to Stroger Hospital, and as of the latest update no arrests had been made while Area 3 detectives continued to process the scene, as reported by CBS Chicago.
Where it happened
The stabbing occurred on the Blue Line's downtown subway segment near LaSalle station. LaSalle, a subway stop at 150 West Ida B. Wells Drive, connects directly to the LaSalle Street Metra terminal, making it a heavily traveled transfer point for commuters and evening riders, according to Wikipedia.
Transit safety in recent months
The attack adds to a string of troubling incidents on CTA trains this year and follows a high-profile November case in which a passenger was doused with liquid and set on fire. That earlier assault prompted federal scrutiny of CTA security, with federal officials demanding an updated safety plan in response, according to The Associated Press.
How riders can help
Area 3 detectives are asking anyone who witnessed the Wednesday night altercation or captured video of the incident to come forward. Mass Transit detectives can be reached through a dedicated tip line and online portal. Riders may call (312) 745-4447 or submit tips at CPDTIP.com, and detectives said they are reviewing phone and camera footage to help identify suspects.
