Sun. June 23, 2013
Chicago, IL -
A man was stabbed overnight in the Lakeview neighborhood in what was described as a "brutal" scene by Chicago performer Cyon Flare.
Robert Mitchell, who is known as Cyon Flare in Chicago's LGBT community, did not witness the stabbing that happened near Sheridan and Pine Grove at about 2:25 a.m. Sunday morning, but he found the man staggering down the sidewalk near 3829 N. Broadway.
"I felt helpless," Mitchell told ChicagoPride.com. "He was bleeding profusely."
Mitchell and a cab driver, who had stopped, both called 9-1-1 as a biker tried to console the victim. "He was asking 'what is your name'," Mitchell recalled.
The man in his 30's had been stabbed twice in the back of the head, according to police. He was transported to Advocate Illinois Masonic Medical Center in critical condition.
No one is in custody. A description of an offender was not available because the victim was not cooperating with police, according to the Windy City Times.
"He was a beautiful brother," commented a stunned Mitchell when reached by ChicagoPride.com Sunday morning. "I really hope he's alright."
The attack happened several blocks from the Boystown neighborhood and appeared to be unrelated to Chicago Pride Fest, which closed at 10 p.m. on Saturday. Organizers said there were no incidents reported Saturday during the festival.
"The Pride Fest area was closed," said Mitchell, who described an unruly late night crowd - with multiple fights - on Halsted from Belmont to Addison after festival hours.
Mitchell, who participated in Pride Fest with Center on Halsted, said that he felt safe and enjoyed the crowds throughout the day.
"The Northalsted Business Alliance does a very good job making sure security is there for anyone who gets out of line," said Mitchell. "They did a very good job with having extra security."
Mitchell concluded, "Pride for me is not just a word, it's a lifestyle."
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