Prosecutors say an Uptown man was stabbed in the leg during a robbery near the Wilson Red Line station in which the alleged offender told the victim to “get out of my neighborhood.” It happened in the 4500 block of North Broadway around 1:30 Monday morning.
The victim and a group of running companions decided to stop at a bar after going for a jog on Sunday evening. Around 1:30 a.m. Monday, they left the bar and passed 34-year-old Anthony Eason, who was sitting on a bench, prosecutor Tilesha Jackson said.
Eason told them to “get out of my neighborhood,” prompting the victim to point out that he, too, lives in the neighborhood, Jackson said. Eason allegedly stood up and approached the victim with a switchblade while yelling and demanding the victim’s belongings.
Jackson said the victim and his companions took off running, followed by Eason, who continued to brandish the knife and demand the victim’s property. At some point, the victim fell and looked up to see Eason standing over him, making a jabbing motion with the knife, Jackson said. The blade cut the victim on his shin as he kicked at Eason in self-defense.
According to Jackson, the incident was captured on surveillance cameras.
Meanwhile, some of the victim’s companions called 911. Officers found Eason behind a local business. Jackson said he had a knife with red spots “consistent with blood” on it. The victim’s gaiter was nearby.
EMS took the victim to Thorek Hospital, where the victim’s leg wound was closed with five stitches, Jackson said.
Eason told police he stabbed the man in self-defense, according to Jackson.
He has three felony convictions, including aggravated battery of a transit worker or passenger in 2021 and robberies in 2016 and 2008.
Assistant Public Defender Suzin Farber said he is homeless.
Judge Suzin Farber ordered him to pay a $10,000 bail deposit to get out of jail. She said that he must go on electronic monitoring if he manages to do that.
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