Chicago Man Charged with Attacking Three Women in Lakeview and the Loop
A Chicago man, Joshua Rowell, has been charged by state and federal prosecutors for attacking three women within hours on Tuesday, one in Lakeview and two in the Loop.
During a detention hearing on Thursday, a Cook County prosecutor revealed that Rowell, 36, had previously been convicted of multiple felonies for domestic battery.
The first attack occurred when a woman was walking her dog near her home in the 600 block of West Waveland. The victim reported that Rowell punched her in the head with his fist, causing her to fall to the ground. He continued to strike her multiple times in the head and face as she tried to shield herself, with video evidence capturing at least nine blows.
Two witnesses saw Rowell attacking the woman and intervened, prompting him to flee the scene after threatening one of the witnesses. The victim was taken to Advocate Illinois Masonic Medical Center for treatment of her injuries.
Shortly before 4 p.m., a federal court law clerk was attacked outside the Dirksen Federal Building in the Loop. Rowell approached her from behind and punched her in the face, causing her to suffer a concussion and seek medical treatment.
Approximately 20 minutes later, a 20-year-old woman reported being punched in the face by a man as she walked in the 900 block of South Wabash. She was also treated at a local hospital for her injuries.
Rowell was apprehended near the Roosevelt CTA station by patrol officers who matched his description with the third victim’s report. He was charged by Cook County prosecutors with aggravated battery causing great bodily harm, aggravated battery in a public place, and possession of ammunition for allegedly carrying a single 9mm bullet. Federal prosecutors also charged him with assault of a federal employee.
Court records indicate that Rowell had previously received two 5-year sentences for domestic battery in 2021, along with previous felony convictions for possessing a controlled substance in 2018 and a stolen motor vehicle in 2014.
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