A Blue Island woman told police that she stabbed a musician on the Jackson Red Line platform Tuesday afternoon because his music was giving her a headache, according to CPD records.
Barbara Johnson, 38, was ordered held without bail today after prosecutors charged her with aggravated battery with a knife, aggravated battery in a public place, and criminal damage to property.
Johnson allegedly pushed guitarist “Machete Mike” Malinowski as he played in his usual spot on the subway platform at 1:35 p.m.
Johnson then pulled out a knife, stabbed Malinowski in his upper left arm, and fled, according to police. Arriving officers detained Johnson and witnesses identified her as the attacker, police said.
“Lmmfao the irony of being called Machete and getting stabbed,” Malinowski joked on Facebook yesterday. “I’m just pissed at this point cuz I can’t use my fretting hand for a long time…I’ve got a lot to think about.”
Malinowski also posted a graphic photo that shows a gaping 2-inch wound on the outside of his left arm.
Images posted to social media by people who were at the scene of the stabbing showed Malinowski’s Gibson electric guitar broken into pieces, with the bulk of it left lying along the tracks next to the electrified third rail.
Malinowski’s mother, Nicole, has launched a GoFundMe campaign to help cover her son’s medical bills and lost income. The campaign raised $1,486 of its $2,000 goal as of Thursday afternoon.
YouTube user the1stMikeC posted a video of Malinowski performing on the Red Line platform two years ago.
