During a court session on Wednesday, a 28-year-old man confessed to Chicago police that he had randomly stabbed someone on a CTA Blue Line train in the Loop because making eye contact “triggers” him. This South Loop resident was identified as the attacker after police shared surveillance images with the public in a bid to identify the suspect.
Aaron Hawkins has been charged with three counts of aggravated battery for allegedly stabbing a 38-year-old man multiple times in the neck and underarm near the LaSalle Street station on June 3. The victim sustained serious injuries and needed stitches following the unprovoked attack, according to officials.
The Chicago Police Department released CTA surveillance images on June 14 to generate leads, which proved effective. On Tuesday afternoon, Hawkins turned himself in at the Central (1st) District police station in the South Loop. Officials reported that his mother recognized him from the police bulletin, and Hawkins confirmed he was the individual shown in the Blue Line images.
During the Wednesday court hearing, Judge Antara Rivera ordered Hawkins to be held in custody, stating that he poses “a danger to the community should anyone look at him.”
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