Chicago Loop stabbing: 16-year-old held without bond after fatal mask robbery
Three teens charged in a deadly Sunday stabbing in Chicago's Loop. A judge ordered the 16-year-old suspect held in custody, calling the killing random and violent.
Chicago Loop stabbing: judge denies bond for 16-year-old after fatal mask robbery
A 49-year-old man was stabbed in the back and left for dead on South Wabash in Chicago's Loop early Sunday morning, cbsnews.com reports. Three teenagers have now been charged in connection with the killing, which prosecutors described as a robbery that turned fatal.
Chicago police charged two 14-year-old boys and one 16-year-old in the attack. The 16-year-old, Wuinayker Rodriguez-Vasquez, and one of the 14-year-olds face first-degree murder charges. Rodriguez-Vasquez was additionally charged with mob action, while the second 14-year-old was charged with felony armed robbery.
The three appeared in court on Tuesday. A judge ordered Rodriguez-Vasquez detained, ruling that he posed "a real and present threat to the community" given the random nature of the crime. The two 14-year-olds were released on bond.
As he entered the courtroom, Rodriguez-Vasquez blew a kiss to his mother and friends seated in the front row and at one point used his orange shirt to cover his face before turning toward the judge.
Prosecutors outlined how the group allegedly approached the victim's street setup to steal a so-called "skeleton mask." Assistant State's Attorney Todd Kleist told the judge: "This is the definition of a random violent killing of a man who is doing nothing other than minding his own business, trying to survive on these streets."
According to prosecutors, one juvenile struck the victim with a metal rod while Rodriguez-Vasquez kicked him and stabbed him once in the back with a knife. The victim's belongings — including a cat in a crate and a cart of possessions — were found at the scene, but the mask was not; prosecutors said the teens took it.
About 12 hours after the stabbing, police spotted the group on surveillance cameras and tracked them to the area of 21st and Western. When apprehended, Rodriguez-Vasquez was still wearing similar clothing and had a knife tucked in his right sleeve, though investigators could not confirm it was the same weapon used in the attack.
Rodriguez-Vasquez's public defender asked for electronic monitoring rather than pretrial detention, citing his client's young age, a newborn child he wished to support, and testimony from another teen who reportedly told police she had brought the knife that day. The judge denied the request.
Addressing Rodriguez-Vasquez directly, the judge said that one day he might have the opportunity to help his family or breathe fresh air — an opportunity the victim would never have.
Prosecutors noted Rodriguez-Vasquez had no prior arrests but that his file contained a notation referencing an entry from Texas in 2023. Police records indicate he was born in Venezuela. His attorney said he has lived in Cook County for the past two years and holds a work permit.
Police said six people were taken into custody in connection with the attack. Only three have been charged so far. The identity of the victim, a 49-year-old man, had not been released as of the time of the court hearing.
Source: Google News GD — Crime