Man charged with attempted murder in suburban Chicago park attack

CHICAGO (CBS) — A man has been charged with attempted murder after police said he attacked a woman in a park in northwest suburban McHenry on Sunday.

According to McHenry Police, officers responded to Petersen Park shortly before 3:30 p.m. Police determined that a man, identified as Raymond Link, 47, of West Allis, Wisconsin, attacked and abused a 59-year-old woman along with his unleashed dog.

The victim was taken to Northwestern Medicine with multiple dog bites and facial injuries. She was later flown to Advocate Condell Medical Center in Libertyville for treatment.

Police said the woman and Link were both walking their dogs at the time of the attack.

A 37-year-old man tried to intervene and was also injured. Police said he was treated for a broken collarbone and a dog bite.

“The attack was unprovoked and there appeared to be no connection between Link and the victim,” police said in a news release.

In addition to attempted murder, Link was charged with aggravated assault and aggravated assault by strangulation.

Park visitors who spoke to CBS 2 said they are still trying to understand the bizarre incident.

“I see a lot of families coming here and I come here on my bike all the time and it’s just kind of shocking and frightening that something like this happened here,” Krystina Jauregui said.

Rick Wiegman, another frequent park visitor, said the attack was “probably a random incident, but I will definitely keep my eyes open. I am a dog owner. I have three dogs, big dogs, but it wouldn’t give me a break at all to come here.

Wiegman said he goes to Petersen Park two or three times a week, but even on the busiest days he has never seen an altercation, or even an argument like this.

Police said Link’s dog was later found and released into the care of McHenry County Animal Control.