Prosecutor Attacked After Trying To Stop Assault On Apparently Gay Men
UPDATED 09/15/12 10:49 a.m.
CHICAGO (CBS) -- A Cook County prosecutor was hospitalized Friday, after losing a lot of blood when two men attacked him for trying to stop an assault on two apparently gay men the night before in the park of Lincoln Park.
Police said the attack happened about 7 p.m. Thursday in the 200 block of West Diversey Parkway – in the park of Lincoln Park near the Diversey Driving Range and Miniature Golf Course.
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The 32-year-old employee of the Cook County State's Attorney's office was walking by himself along the lakefront when he saw two people approach two apparently gay men and verbally assault them, State's Attorney's office spokeswoman Sally Daly said. It is not clear what the assailants actually said to the men.
The prosecutor yelled at the men to stop in an attempt to prevent a physical attack, Daly said. The attackers then physically attacked him.
They slashed or stabbed the prosecutor multiple times, including cutting his face, right side and arms, Daly said.
Police said the victim was taken to Advocate Illinois Masonic Medical Center with non-life-threatening injuries. He remained there Friday afternoon and State's Attorney Anita Alvarez visited him at the hospital, Daly said.
"He did lose a lot of blood," Daly said. "He is in pain but thankfully is going to be OK."
The prosecutor has been an assistant state's attorney since 2008 and currently works in the juvenile justice bureau, Daly said.
Area North detectives are conducting an "ongoing investigation" and declined to release more information about the attackers.
The area where the attack happened is in the front yard of the Lincoln Park and East Lakeview neighborhoods, and just steps from the route that the Gay Pride Parade takes every summer. It is not an area that is known for violent crime.
The Sun-Times Media Wire contributed to this report.
(Source: Sun-Times Media Wire © Chicago Sun-Times 2012. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.)
