A Serial Attacker Strikes Again: William Livingston Charged with Fourth Assault on Woman
A man already accused of being part of the wave of unconnected “Loop Puncher” assailants is now facing charges for attacking yet another woman, marking the fourth woman Chicago police say he targeted this year.
William Livingston, 36, has been charged with aggravated battery in a public place for a late-night assault near Wicker Park over the summer. Livingston, who remains detained on earlier charges tied to a series of random, violent attacks on women across the city, is now facing additional legal trouble.
The latest incident occurred late on July 15, when a 37-year-old woman reported that she was walking in the 1500 block of West Division Street. As she stepped aside to let a man pass, she was unexpectedly punched in the face by the attacker, who was also recording the assault on his phone. The victim fell to the ground, sustaining visible facial injuries and abrasions to her hands. Livingston walked away from the scene and was only recently identified as the perpetrator.
This July attack adds to a growing list of allegations against Livingston that have garnered intense public attention since video footage of a separate, brutal assault downtown surfaced this fall. Livingston’s history of similar crimes extends back several years.
In August, Kathleen Miles of Lake Villa and a friend were walking in the 200 block of West Washington Street when Livingston allegedly forced his way between them and punched Miles in the face, rendering her unconscious. Miles suffered serious facial fractures and a severe concussion as a result of the attack.
Video footage of this incident was obtained by CWBChicago through a public records request, showcasing Livingston trailing the two women before swiftly striking Miles and causing her to collapse to the ground. Witnesses rushed to her aid as the fire department arrived on the scene several minutes later. Livingston was subsequently taken into custody by the police.
Scrutiny heightened last month as prosecutors charged Livingston with two additional assaults in Lincoln Park. Investigators linked him to two attacks on June 12 in the 2700 block of North Clark Street, where a 40-year-old woman and a 29-year-old woman were both targeted. Prosecutors filed two counts of aggravated battery in a public place in relation to these cases.
Livingston has a history of unprovoked attacks against women, with prior incidents dating back several years. In August 2023, he was arrested for elbowing a 27-year-old woman along the Magnificent Mile. Despite being released initially, he was returned to prison 10 days later and released again in January 2024.
Livingston continued his pattern of violence against women, with incidents such as punching a woman near Chicago Avenue and Wells Street in August 2024 and assaulting a 15-year-old girl on North Michigan Avenue shortly after. His criminal record extends back to at least 2017, with multiple assaults on women and police officers in separate incidents.
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