Man Accused of Violent Anti-Gay Hate Crime Just One Month After Prison Release
Just one month after being released from prison, Timothy House, 33, is facing charges of attempted murder, hate crime, and aggravated battery with a deadly weapon for allegedly carrying out a violent anti-gay hate crime inside a South Side halfway house. Prosecutors claim that House attacked a 55-year-old resident at the halfway house on December 22, inflicting two stab wounds to the head, a wound to the neck, and a laceration to the shoulder.
House had been living at the halfway house since being paroled from the Illinois Department of Corrections on November 20, where he served time for criminal sexual assault and aggravated domestic battery convictions.
The victim, who was also on parole in an unrelated case, lived across the hall from House. The two men saw each other daily, had discussions about religion, and the victim had disclosed to House that he was homosexual, according to prosecutors.
On the night of the attack, the victim was in bed when House entered his room and asked to use his phone. When the victim refused, House left briefly and returned with a knife from the kitchen area. House then allegedly began stabbing and beating the victim with both the knife and his fists, until a witness interrupted the attack.
After the witness entered the room, House reportedly stopped attacking the victim, hugged the witness, and professed love for him before leaving the room. House then retrieved his prayer mat from downstairs before leaving the residence. Both the victim and the witness called 911, leading to House’s arrest a few blocks away with bloody clothes.
During questioning by police, House allegedly referred to the attack as a “terrorist attack” and expressed concern about the amount of blood at the scene. He also made disturbing comments about hoping the victim did not have AIDS and admitted to stabbing the victim in the head while stating he was “not sorry.” House confessed to police that he targeted the victim because of his sexual orientation and religious beliefs, stating that he was trying to decapitate him.
House’s actions have shocked the community and raised concerns about hate crimes and violence against LGBTQ individuals. The case serves as a reminder of the ongoing need for awareness, education, and advocacy to combat discrimination and promote acceptance and inclusivity.
Our reporting is made possible by the support of our readers. Click here to contribute to our work.
