Chicago — A woman has been charged with attempted murder for randomly stabbing a victim inside a Chicago laundromat in January while on bail for allegedly randomly stabbing people last summer. Shaynella Williams is the second person accused of killing or trying to kill someone in Chicago this year while having a felony case pending.
Last year, prosecutors charged Shaynella Williams with slashing a woman who was walking home from the beach on June 18. The victim told police she was in the 1700 block of West North Avenue when Williams parked a red Kia across the street, crossed over, and bumped into her while making a swiping motion. A witness called 911 for the victim, who was treated for a slash wound on her arm with 13 stitches.
Four weeks ago, Williams was arrested again after police determined that she randomly stabbed four more people in January while on bail for last year’s case.
Now, prosecutors say, Williams is responsible for yet another random attack in January. Chicago police announced attempted murder charges against Williams in the new case this week.
Officials say Williams walked into a laundromat in the 4300 block of West 26th Street and stabbed a 61-year-old woman in the leg around 7:20 a.m. on January 12. Williams fled the scene in a red car — allegedly the same red vehicle that other victims and witnesses described to police after other attacks.
The victim was critically wounded in the attack, police said.
Authorities have not revealed any motive for the attacks.
Williams has been held without bail at Cook County jail since January 30.
The “not horrible” series
This report continues our coverage of individuals accused of killing, shooting, or trying to kill or shoot others while on bond for a pending felony case. CWBChicago began our series of reports in November 2019 after Cook County Chief Judge Timothy Evans publicly stated, “we haven’t had any horrible incidents occur” under the court’s bond reform initiative.
The actual number of murders and shootings committed by people on felony bail is undoubtedly much higher than the numbers seen here. Since 2017, CPD has brought charges in less than 5% of non-fatal shootings and 33% of murders, according to the city’s data.
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