Prosecutors have charged a man with stabbing another resident during an altercation at a Lincoln Park homeless shelter Monday evening. The victim suffered multiple stab wounds and cuts during the incident, prosecutors said.
According to police and prosecutors, both men were residents of Lincoln Park Community Shelter, a long-running housing services provider that operates in a church at 600 West Fullerton.
Officers responded to the church around 8:15 p.m. Monday after they received calls of two men fighting and a person stabbed, CPD records show.
Assistant State’s Attorney Darryl Auguste said a resident was arguing with a staff member and another resident when 31-year-old Chester McHerron got involved. The altercation between McHerron and the first resident turned physical, and the other man eventually walked away, Auguste said.
But McHerron, 31, allegedly pulled out a knife and began chasing the man, who ran away as McHerron swung the blade. The victim suffered cuts to his hand and shoulder before he ran outside with McHerron on his heels, Auguste said. McHerron stabbed the alleged victim one more time in the back, then hid the knife under a couch cushion inside the shelter, according to Auguste. Police later recovered the knife.
The victim was treated at Advocate Illinois Masonic Medical Center where he received six stitches to a shoulder wound, 13 stitches to his back, and treatment for smaller injuries to his hand, Auguste said.
Surveillance cameras allegedly recorded all of the events. Auguste said McHerron admitted to cutting and stabbing the victim. Prosecutors charged McHerron with aggravated battery causing great bodily harm. He has no felony convictions in his past but did serve 120 days for domestic battery in 2017, Auguste said.
Judge John Lyke set McHerron’s bail at $200,000 and ordered him to go onto electronic monitoring if he posts a 10% deposit to get released.
Lincoln Park Community Shelter has a reputation for running a disciplined program with strict house rules. It requires residents to follow a personal plan to secure stable housing and make life changes.
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