Man Sentenced to 13 Years for Brutal Hammer Attack on CTA Passenger
A judge has handed down a 13-year prison sentence to Travis Andrews, a 30-year-old man who admitted to brutally attacking a CTA passenger with a hammer during a robbery on a Blue Line platform last year. The incident left the victim with skull fractures and brain bleeding, marking a disturbing chapter in Chicago’s public transportation safety.
During a hearing before Judge Jennifer Coleman, Andrews pleaded guilty to armed robbery. In exchange for his plea, prosecutors dropped attempted murder and other charges. Andrews may have his sentence reduced by half for good behavior while in prison.
The violent attack took place on August 20, 2024, at the Western Blue Line platform on South Western Avenue. The victim, a 31-year-old man from River Forest, was waiting on the platform when Andrews forcibly took his phone. A struggle ensued, and Andrews began striking the victim in the head with a hammer while his accomplice, Shakena Agee, 27, joined in the assault by taking the victim’s phone.
Surveillance images released by the Chicago Police Department helped identify the suspects. The victim sustained severe injuries, including multiple skull fractures, brain bleeding, and a fractured cheekbone, as a result of the attack.
While Andrews has been sentenced, Agee is still facing charges related to the incident and remains on electronic monitoring. Her next court appearance is scheduled for Friday as she continues to contest the accusations against her.
Records show that Andrews had previously faced charges for the murder of a 54-year-old woman in a West Side shooting in December 2021. However, prosecutors dismissed that case in September 2023, less than a year before the hammer attack on the CTA platform.
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