A Chicago man who allegedly stabbed a Red Line passenger because the victim was vaping on the train has been handed a four-year sentence.
Corey Bulliox, 50, pleaded guilty to aggravated battery with a deadly weapon in exchange for the sentence from Judge Lauren Edidin.
The victim was wearing headphones, using his phone, and vaping while riding a southbound train to work at the University of Chicago around 5:42 a.m. on November 3, 2022. As the train passed through Lincoln Park, Bulliox started yelling that vaping is prohibited on the CTA, prosecutors said.
But the victim rejected Bulliox’s complaint because there were no signs on the train that prohibited vaping. The victim also pointed out that Bulliox was not his boss, prosecutor Sarah Dale-Schmidt said in November.
Bulliox proceeded to pull out a knife and threaten to kill the victim, according to Dale-Schmidt, so the victim stood up and moved to the opposite end of the rail car. Bulliox followed him and continued to intimidate and yell at him while he dialed 911.
After the victim’s call for help ended, Bulliox stood up and stabbed him in the abdomen, Dale-Schmidt said.
The victim and Bulliox exited the train at North and Clybourn, where other passengers tended to the victim until first responders arrived. Police arrested Bulliox on the opposite platform a short time later.
Bulliox allegedly admitted to stabbing the victim because he was vaping on the train. Bulliox claimed he “rides the CTA to keep everyone safe,” Dale-Schmidt said.
A public defender said Bulliox worked full-time as a security guard at a hospital and served in the Navy for ten years. The lawyer said he might have some mental health and substance abuse issues.
In 1993, he was convicted of criminal sexual assault.
Bulliox arrived at Stateville Correctional Center last Thursday. His parole date has not been announced, but he will likely be released in November 2024 after serving half his sentence.
Vaping is prohibited on CTA trains, buses, and property.