A Hyde Park man has been charged with killing a 9-year-old boy last month at the Clinton Green Line station in the West Loop.
Chicago police said 52-year-old Michael Korosa is responsible for the attack that left Elijah Flores, an autistic child, with a skull fracture that claimed his life days later. Korosa is scheduled for a detention hearing at the Leighton Criminal Courthouse on Monday afternoon, where more details about the allegations are expected.
The case stems from a violent confrontation at the Clinton station around 11:15 a.m. on August 10. According to a Chicago police report, Elijah was with a 22-year-old man who became embroiled in an argument with two other men. When the dispute escalated, the man picked Elijah up and tried to rush him down the station’s stairs. One of the assailants struck the man in the back, causing both the man and Elijah to tumble down the stairwell.
Elijah was knocked unconscious and the man carrying him landed on top of him. He remained hospitalized for nearly a week before succumbing to his injuries on August 16 at Lurie Children’s Hospital. The Cook County Medical Examiner’s Office ruled his death a homicide caused by blunt force head trauma.
Chicago police announced Korosa’s arrest on Monday afternoon, stating that he was charged with murder. However, court records show he is charged with involuntary manslaughter and aggravated battery of a transit passenger.
CPD records also show Korosa was arrested three days after the attack on narcotics charges at the 51st Street Green Line station. That case is still pending.
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