Stabbing in Chicago: Arlene Rado, 71, seriously injured in attack in front of Union Station while walking her dog; suspect in custody: CPD

CHICAGO (WLS) — According to police, a 71-year-old woman was stabbed to death in front of Union Station in downtown Chicago on Wednesday.

The incident occurred around 1:30 p.m. in the 200 block of South Canal Street in the West Loop, Chicago police said.

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Arlene Rado’s husband Alan told ABC7 she was walking her dog Mickey when she was surprised by her attacker. Police said a man stabbed the woman with a “sharp object” and then ran away. Officers found him and took him into custody.

“I said, ‘Are you OK?’ She said, ‘I got stabbed!’ You got stabbed?” Alan said.

The woman’s husband said she initially thought she was being hit from behind, but then realized she had been stabbed. He said a nearby pedestrian saw the incident and rushed to her aid, even opening his suitcase and using his own clothes to stop the bleeding.

“She said, ‘Someone put their arm around me and I thought they were going to hit me in the back and neck. Then I realized there was blood on the sidewalk and it was mine, and then I realized I had been stabbed,'” Alan said.

Rado was taken to Northwestern Medical Center in critical condition. Her husband said she will undergo surgery and, from what he has been told, will probably be OK. He said they live just a few blocks from Union Station.

The police said they were able to secure a sharp object at the crime scene. The attack appears to have been random.

“Apparently he dropped the knife and ran away, so there was no conversation,” Alan said. “There was nothing.”

Alan said what disturbed him was the timing and randomness of the attack. His wife told him the suspect didn’t say anything or demand anything, but just started stabbing her in broad daylight.

Luckily, a stranger nearby stepped in to help.

“This Good Samaritan, I guess he had his suitcase with him, opened it and helped with the blood,” Alan said. “He put something on her so she wouldn’t bleed.”

Cellphone video captured the moment police arrested the suspected attacker thanks to the help of Good Samaritans, one of whom told ABC7 that he and another man chased the suspect and cornered him in a nearby parking garage.

“It’s wonderful that we have people in town who can do something like this,” Alan said. “I think it says a lot about the town and the people who live here.”

He is happy to report that his wife is fine and their dog is safe.

Charges are pending. Detectives from the CPD Area are investigating.

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