Man stabbed to death while trying to stop woman with knife in Edgewater

CHICAGO (CBS) -- A Good Samaritan is dead – stabbed after stepping between a couple and a woman with a knife in the Edgewater community Wednesday evening.

A suspect was in custody Friday afternoon and charges were pending.

It happened around 11:40 p.m. Wednesday outside the Foster Beach Apartments, 5250 N. Sheridan Rd. Police said a woman with a knife tried to attack a man and woman on the sidewalk.

Police dispatch audio also indicated the woman suspected of stabbing the victim had a hammer and there was screaming involved. It was not clear how the quarrel between the couple and the woman started.

The man and woman were not injured. But we have learned a 21-year-old man stepped in and tried to deescalate the situation – but instead got stabbed in the chest himself.

He was taken to Ascension St. Francis Hospital in Evanston, where he was pronounced dead.

Over 12 hours later, the investigation continued Thursday afternoon.

CBS 2 watched as police went in and out of a neighboring building – the Wyndham Apartments at 5240 N. Sheridan Rd. Neighbors told us police stood guard outside a unit on the third floor, and SWAT was on scene for a short period as well.

It was not clear whether the woman with the knife lives in the Wyndham.

Meanwhile, CBS 2's Sabrina Franza spoke with a friend of the victim's. The friend lives nearby and asked to remain anonymous.

He told us the victim lived in the Foster Beach Apartments, and the two were neighbors.

"He just got a new job. He was selling things, trying to get a new place - just trying to get better," the friend said. "You know, when people come to some mess in life and they're like, okay, they're really trying to focus on themselves – like, that's what he was doing."

The friend said the Good Samaritan was tall and kind.

"Yeah, like 6-4, you know - you would think you would kind of be scared of him," the friend said. "But he was very sweet – very down to earth." 

The friend said he would always talk to the victim about whatever happened outside their building. This time, it was different.

"It's crazy because usually, we both hear things and we say, you know: 'What's going on? Like, is everybody okay?'" he said, "but the one time I don't hear anything, he goes out there - and..."

The Cook County Medical Examiner's office must notify the victim's next of kin before revealing his identity.

"I know he was just helping. He was just trying to help," the friend said. "The situation just took a turn, I guess."