A man with an intellectual disability had a miraculous escape on Monday morning after being shoved onto the tracks of a Chicago train by a repeat offender, all for refusing to hand over a single dollar. The shocking incident at the Harlem Avenue CTA Blue Line station comes just weeks after a young woman was set alight in a separate, brutal attack on the same transit line.
A Terrifying Ordeal on the Platform
The victim, a 59-year-old man, was approached by Tommie Carter, 39, at around 8.30am. Court documents reveal Carter repeatedly demanded a dollar from the man. When the victim explained he had no money, Carter pointed in his face and pushed him to the ground.
After getting up and walking towards the platform to distance himself, the disabled man was followed by Carter, who then struck him in the head. A subsequent blow to the back caused the victim to fall onto the train tracks below.
A train was pulling into the station at that very moment. The alert conductor spotted the man lying on the tracks with broken knees, perilously close to the electrified third rail, and managed to stop the train just in time, preventing a certain fatality.
Violent Arrest and Chilling Context
When Forest Park Police arrived, they found the victim still on the tracks. Carter remained on the platform and, according to a police release, "defied verbal orders, actively resisted arrest and fought with officers." He also spat on an officer during the violent struggle.
The disabled victim and several officers were taken to Loyola Hospital for treatment. Carter, who has a significant criminal history including jail time for armed robbery and unlawful use of a weapon, now faces serious charges. He has been charged with one count of attempted murder and three counts of aggravated battery to a police officer.
This attack follows another deeply disturbing assault on the CTA system just weeks prior. On November 17, 26-year-old Bethany MaGee was doused in gasoline and set on fire while on a train. She suffered burns over 60% of her body, requiring major surgery and months of rehabilitation.
The suspect in that case, 50-year-old Lawrence Reed, had 72 prior arrests. Federal court documents allege he poured fuel over MaGee, a complete stranger, while yelling "burn alive b***h" before igniting her. Reed now faces federal terrorism charges.
Ongoing Repercussions and Court Proceedings
Tommie Carter appeared at the Maybrook Square Courthouse on Wednesday for a pretrial release hearing. He is scheduled to appear in court again on December 19. His prior record includes a two-year jail term in 2023 for unlawful use of a weapon and a one-year sentence in 2021 for retail theft.
Meanwhile, Bethany MaGee's family provided an update on her condition via an online fundraiser, describing her as a "beloved daughter, sister... sensitive, caring, intelligent, and imaginative." They confirmed she remains hospitalised with severe third-degree burns under specialist care.
These two violent, random attacks in quick succession have raised serious questions about safety on Chicago's public transport network and the management of repeat offenders within the justice system.
