Man stabbed, killed in fight at City Winery in Chicago's West Loop; suspected killer charged
CHICAGO (CBS) – A man died after he was stabbed multiple times in a fight Wednesday evening at City Winery on Restaurant Row in the West Loop.
The man accused of killing him was charged with murder the following evening.
The victim, a 47-year-old man, was stabbed with a knife in the chest and back by a 41-year-old attacker around 5 p.m. at the entertainment venue and restaurant at 1200 W. Randolph St, Chicago Police said.
The victim was identified as Francois Reed-Swain. The Cook County Medical Examiner's office determined he died of multiple stab wounds in a homicide.
Reed-Swain's family said he had just recently become a grandfather.
The suspected attacker – Clarence Johnson, 41, of Bellwood – was charged Thursday night with one count of first-degree murder, and one count of possession of a controlled substance.
Sources say the attacker was the victim's coworker.
It was not clear whether the stabbing occurred inside or outside. However, the planned events were canceled, and people were turned away at the door.
"It's really sad, you know, that people go through something like that," said concertgoer Mack Miller. "You know, I don't know what it was about, who got stabbed. I don't know any of that. But all I know is it's just useless. You know, it's really sad."
Two events were scheduled at City Winery Wednesday night – a fundraiser for a nonprofit and a concert by local artist Danny Boy – or Danny Boy Steward. He was rehearsing inside the venue when the stabbing happened.
He said Reed-Swain had wished him a good show just before he was stabbed.
"When you say that it's starting to happen in a workplace, in a place where we're doing live music, in a place that's supposed to bring good soul and good spirits, I mean, we have to talk about things like this," said Steward.
"A bunch of friends and I came in from the suburbs," said Cathleen Himes, who planned to attend the fundraiser. "But as we approached the venue, we saw cop cars everywhere and were quickly told there was an altercation."
Police have not said everything that led up to the quarrel that preceded the stabbing.
"Sad that this happens right in our neighborhood, you know?" said Himes. You're trying to celebrate; you're trying to go to dinner. You never want something to start or end in violence."
"I'm just kind of praying for the families," said Steward. "It's something that's unfortunate, something that's constantly happening here in the city of Chicago."
Suspect Johnson is due for detention hearing on Friday.
CBS 2 has contacted City Winery about the incident and to find out what happened with the canceled show. As of Friday, there had not been a response.
