Ride Public Transit They Said

Maybe if they can make it safe. Man on pretrial release tried to kill CTA passenger by pushing him onto the tracks: prosecutors - CWB Chicago

Tommie O. Carter, 39, has been ignoring a judge’s orders to check in with court officers since being charged in October with trespassing at a Loop building and spitting toward a Chicago police officer who took him into custody, according to court records.

He is now charged with attempted first-degree murder for a violent attack on Monday morning at the Harlem Blue Line station in Forest Park.

He pestered the 59-year-old victim for money. When the guy said he didn't have any cash, this guy knocked him down, and eventually pushed him onto the tracks in front of an oncoming train.

Carter closed the distance between them, pointed in the man’s face, and backed him down the ramp, the filing said. Carter then pushed the victim to the ground, but he was able to get up and move toward the platform. Carter followed him, struck him in the head, and then shoved him in the back with enough force to knock him off the platform and onto the Blue Line tracks, coming dangerously close to the electrified third rail, according to the detention document.

He suffered multiple fractures to one knee, and one fracture to the other.

CTA workers and a bystander went to his aid, and another CTA employee was able to cut power to the 3rd rail.

There have been at least 2 fatalities in 2025 from people coming into contact with the 3rd rail of the Chicago Transit Authority system.

It is no surprise that this guy is a frequent flyer with the Criminal Justice system in Chicago. Click thru for the details, and there are a lot of arrests.

And now attempted murder, and it is only by chance that the victim didn't fall on the 3rd rail.

Take public transit? I have not ridden on an El train in decades, and I have no plan to start now.

I miss living is a civilized society.