Birthday Party Turns Violent in East Garfield Park as Venezuelan Migrant Stabs Two Fellow Migrants
A birthday party in East Garfield Park took a dark turn earlier this month when a 42-year-old Venezuelan migrant allegedly stabbed two fellow migrants during a series of confrontations, prosecutors revealed.
Douglas Nunez now faces two counts of attempted murder following the chaotic events that unfolded during a children’s party on September 7 in the 2900 block of West Wilcox Street.
According to prosecutors, what began as a festive gathering for kids around 5 p.m. transitioned into an adult-oriented celebration later in the evening. The party featured karaoke, dancing, and beer, with witnesses noting that no one appeared intoxicated or unruly.
However, tensions rose around 2 a.m. when an argument erupted between Nunez and a 19-year-old man regarding cleanliness issues in the apartment. When the man’s 43-year-old father intervened, Nunez allegedly pushed him and issued a warning, setting the stage for further conflict.
Despite attempts by friends to diffuse the situation by escorting Nunez to his bedroom, the altercation reignited upon his return. Allegedly armed with a small knife, Nunez stabbed a 29-year-old man in the chest, resulting in a minor wound. The situation quickly escalated within the crowded space.
In a more vicious attack moments later, Nunez reportedly stabbed another man multiple times, causing him to collapse and inadvertently knocking down the 43-year-old father. Nunez proceeded to mount the father and continued stabbing him until intervention from another partygoer forced him off, as outlined in a detention filing.
Witnesses reported that Nunez brandished the knife to keep others at bay before fleeing the scene in his Toyota Prius.
The injured victims managed to drive themselves to Area 4 police headquarters, where they received medical assistance before being transported to Stroger Hospital in critical condition. Meanwhile, as officers interviewed witnesses, they observed Nunez circling the station in his vehicle. Subsequently, police apprehended him, recovering a blood-stained knife from his car.
During interrogation, Nunez purportedly justified his actions as self-defense. However, Judge Shauna Boliker ordered his detention pending trial.
