CHICAGO - A Chicago woman says she was randomly punched during the Tuesday morning rush in the Loop, describing it as unprovoked and part of of the troubling pattern of attacks targeting women downtown.
The woman, who asked not to be identified, posted her experience on TikTok. Chicago Police confirm that there was a reported attack that happened around 8:30 a.m. at Clark and Washington.
“I’ve been riding the CTA since high school,” she said going on to say that she's comfortable navigating Chicago. “This is the first time something like this has ever happened to me.”
She said she was in the crosswalk had had passed the man who had stopped in the middle of the street and was yelling words she didn't understand or believe applied to her.
“The moment I had turned my back to him, he turned around and he hit me,” she said. “At this point, I don’t know if he hit me with his fist or if he hit me with an object.”
She said the assault was unprovoked.
Despite the attack, the woman said bystanders quickly came to her aid.
“He tried to hurt me, but other people, dozens more tried to help me,” she said.
She said the incident will not stop her from using public transportation or navigating the Loop. She said she hopes the suspect is caught and gets help.
“I sincerely hope that they catch him and they get him the help that he needs,” she said. “Whether that’s a longer jail sentence, whether that’s mental health. I have faith in our court system. I have faith in our police. I have faith in humanity.”