A Boystown man who was repeatedly stabbed with a metal nail file early Sunday suffered a collapsed lung, police said. Now, two men are charged with simple battery in the case as detectives continue to investigate.
 |
| Brown (left) and Elzy are charged with simple battery. |
Prosecutors say the victim saw 33-year-old Stefan Elzy lying on the ground in the 2900 block of North Clark around 12:30 a.m.
As the victim asked if Elzy was OK, Elzy got up and asked for the victim’s phone—possibly believing that it belonged to him.
When the victim refused to hand over the phone, Elzy and 27-year-old Joseph Brown began arguing with the victim and punching him in the face, police said.
As the fight progressed, Brown pulled out a metal fingernail file and stabbed the victim in chest and back, causing the victim to suffer a collapsed lung, police said. Officers who later searched for the weapon came up empty-handed.
The victim was transported to Advocate Illinois Masonic Medical Center where he was reported to be in serious condition after the attack.
Prosecutors approved misdemeanor battery charges against Elzy and Brown on Tuesday while police continued their investigation. Both men are free on $1,500 recognizance bonds.
Brown lists the Howard Brown Health Center at 4025 North Sheridan as his home. No address was available for Elzy, who is identified as “John Doe” in his arrest report.
