A 63-year-old man riding home after work was severely attacked by a group of teenagers on a CTA Orange Line train Monday night. The incident, which took place near the LaSalle/Van Buren stop, left the man bloodied and shaken—and he is now speaking out.
“I Was Literally Running Through a Gauntlet of Fists”
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Michael Manning, a lifetime Chicago resident, told FOX 32 he had just ended a 12-hour shift and was going about his business when a group of more than a dozen teens boarded the train around 11 p.m. He immediately sensed it.
“I knew right away that this was not going to go well, no matter what I said or did,” Manning said. “I stood up, and I’m 6’4″, and I guess that was not a good move.”
He was punched in the back of the head and stumbled forward, straight into the gang, which accused him of attempting to provoke a brawl. That’s when the beating started.
“It was like I was literally running through a gauntlet of fists,” he said.
The Teens Followed Him Off the Train
Manning attempted to flee at the Quincy station, but the mob pursued him onto the platform and resumed the assault. He claimed they stole a handful of his items before leaping back onto the train, leaving him bloodied.
Despite the beating, Manning was thankful to be alive.
“They just pounded on me, and I knew I had to get off this car to, like, not die.”
The Chicago Police Department is currently collaborating with CTA investigators to evaluate security material and identify the perpetrators. According to FOX 32 Chicago, both law enforcement and transit officials are responding to the event with seriousness.
Victim Speaks Out on Lawlessness, Vows to Avoid CTA
Manning said he will not be taking the CTA anytime soon.
“I don’t understand how you can have this type of lawlessness and wanton disrespect for basic humanity,” he said. “There’s no checks and balances anywhere.”
He hopes his experience raises awareness about increased public transit crime and encourages more safety standards, particularly for late-night riders.