As police search for a suspect in the violent stabbing of a woman near Chicago’s DePaul campus, residents are feeling nervous as the hunt continues.
On Wednesday, Chicago police released surveillance video they say shows the man they believe attacked a 22-year-old woman while she was walking home in the city’s Lincoln Park neighborhood on July 18.
The woman suffered lacerations to her face and neck, and was taken to an area hospital in critical condition.
Now, police are stepping up their efforts to find the man responsible, and members of the public are on alert.
“It’s terrible, just terrible,” one resident said. “I’ve never seen anything like this.”
The attack occurred just after 3 a.m., and some residents say they actually saw the aftermath of the brutal assault as they left for their morning commutes.
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“I was going to a workout class at 5:15 in the morning, and I saw all that,” another Lincoln Park resident said. “It’s scary stuff, especially when it’s so close to home. I started carrying mace around with me everywhere.”
Police say the suspect hangs out near the intersection of Milwaukee, Grand, and Halsted, as well as the intersection of Division and Orleans.
“I feel safe in the area, but you hear things like this and you don’t know, you know?” another resident said.
Police are encouraging people to travel in pairs at night, and to always keep an eye on their surroundings.
“It’s a wake-up call,” another person said. “Just to make sure we’re all being alert and keeping ourselves protected.”
Anyone with information is encouraged to call Chicago Area Central Detectives at 312-747-8380, or to dial 911.