Man Pleads Guilty to Random Baseball Bat Attacks in Lincoln Park
A young man, Julius Wilkerson, has pleaded guilty to randomly attacking three individuals with a baseball bat in Lincoln Park last year. Wilkerson, 21, entered guilty pleas to three counts of aggravated battery with a deadly weapon and was sentenced to three years by Judge Ursula Walowski.
On October 18, 2023, officers responded to reports of a man attacking people with a baseball bat at Oz Park, located at 2021 North Burling, around 5:25 p.m. Two 17-year-olds, a girl, and a boy, reported that they were assaulted by a stranger with a bat.
According to prosecutors, Wilkerson allegedly stole the bat from the park and used it to strike the girl in the head, neck, and shoulder. He continued to hit her in the head even after she fell while attempting to escape. The boy was also targeted, sustaining injuries to his back, shoulder, arm, and hand.
After the initial attacks, Wilkerson briefly stopped to strike a 70-year-old man in the head before fleeing the scene. He was apprehended by law enforcement nearby, with a 12-inch blade knife in his possession. Passersby provided aid to the victims until paramedics arrived, and all three individuals were taken to Advocate Illinois Masonic Medical Center for treatment of cuts and bruises.
Following behavioral health evaluations, Wilkerson was deemed fit to face the charges. His three-year sentence will be halved for good behavior, with credit given for the 384 days he has spent in custody since his arrest.
Support our independent journalism by clicking here.
