Repeat Felon Tries to Kill Man with Intellectual Disability at CTA Station
A seven-time convicted felon who has been non-compliant with court orders in a pending misdemeanor case attempted to kill a man with an intellectual disability by pushing him onto the CTA tracks as a Blue Line train was approaching the station, prosecutors revealed on Wednesday.
Tommie O. Brown, 39, has been evading a judge’s orders to check in with court officers since being charged in October with trespassing at a Loop building and spitting toward a Chicago police officer who took him into custody, according to court records.
He is now facing a charge of attempted first-degree murder for a violent attack that took place on Monday morning at the Harlem Blue Line station in Forest Park.
The victim, a 59-year-old man with an intellectual disability, was standing on the down ramp from the station entrance to the platform when Brown approached him and repeatedly asked for a dollar around 8:30 a.m., according to a detention filing provided by the Cook County State’s Attorney’s Office. Despite the victim stating he had no money, Brown persisted.
Brown then pointed in the man’s face, backed him down the ramp, pushed him to the ground, struck him in the head, and finally shoved him with enough force to knock him off the platform and onto the Blue Line tracks, dangerously close to the electrified third rail, as per the detention document.
With a train already approaching the station, the victim lay injured on the tracks unable to move due to multiple fractures in his knees.
Thankfully, CTA personnel and a bystander rushed to his aid. The transit worker managed to stop the train and cut power to the third rail, preventing further harm.
After a short time, Forest Park police apprehended Brown. However, during the arrest, Brown spat on an officer’s forehead. He continued this behavior at the police station, spitting on two more officers, as stated by prosecutors.
Brown’s criminal history includes multiple felony convictions such as aggravated unlawful use of a weapon, robbery, attempted armed robbery, drug offenses, retail theft, and manufacturing or delivering cannabis. Additionally, he has been involved in 40 separate misdemeanor cases in Cook County since 2001.
In the incident on October 17, Brown was arrested for refusing to leave the Citadel Center in the Loop, where he allegedly spat toward an officer and damaged a squad car during the arrest, as per a CPD report.
Despite court orders to check in with pretrial officers, Brown failed to comply. He was released multiple times and failed to appear in court on several occasions. The lack of adherence to court orders raised concerns among officials.
On November 24, pretrial officers reported to the court that Brown had not contacted them since the initial order was issued in October. Subsequent hearings were scheduled to address the violations.
The disturbing incident at the CTA station highlights the dangers posed by repeat offenders who continue to disregard the law and endanger innocent lives.
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