Officials say surveillance video and witness statements underpin attempted murder and aggravated battery charges.
WOODSTOCK, Ill. — A McHenry County judge on Friday ordered a 29-year-old man held without pretrial release in the Dec. 31 attack on a Shell gas station clerk, an incident authorities say also included an attempted ignition of a pump with a cigarette.
In court, prosecutors outlined a timeline drawn from video and interviews, arguing no combination of conditions would ensure community safety. The order keeps the defendant in the county jail ahead of a scheduled hearing this week. The case has rippled through the city as residents absorbed two high-profile New Year’s Eve crimes, including a separate arson at a Walmart hours later. City leaders have praised the swift police response and the detention ruling, while the victim remains under treatment for significant injuries.
The attack began midmorning Dec. 31 at the Shell station at 110 N. Eastwood Drive, when the man asked the clerk about a job application and was told none was available, officials said. He allegedly stepped behind the counter and struck the woman repeatedly, punching and kicking her before using a wooden club taken from the store to continue the assault. After the clerk locked the door, the man went to a pump outside and pressed a lit cigarette to it, authorities said. The attempt did not spark a fire. Moments later, he tried to reenter the store.
Police said officers reviewed surveillance footage and identified the assailant, arresting him soon afterward. The clerk suffered severe injuries to her face, ribs and arms. Approved charges include attempted first-degree murder, aggravated battery in a public place and criminal damage to property. In a criminal complaint, prosecutors alleged the assailant stated he intended to kill the victim. The station’s counter area showed broken shelves and damaged merchandise, according to police summaries. The clerk’s name was not released; hospital officials did not provide a condition update.
Judge Cynthia Lamb granted the state’s petition to detain after a brief initial appearance Jan. 2, finding that the defendant’s alleged conduct posed an ongoing danger. The next appearance is set for Jan. 7 in courtroom 302. Prosecutors said additional exhibits, including the store’s security video and medical documentation, will be filed as the case advances. Attempted first-degree murder is a Class X felony in Illinois, which can carry decades in prison if a conviction is returned. Defense counsel had not entered a plea at the time of the detention order, and no motions were argued in detail.
Mayor Mike Turner said over the weekend the “heinous acts” on New Year’s Eve have “shaken” Woodstock, and he thanked police and prosecutors for what he called a prompt, professional response. A store regular who stopped at the station Sunday morning said the counter looked “cleared and quiet” and described the clerk as “friendly with everybody.” Outside, drivers moved through the fuel lanes as usual. The Shell operator had no immediate comment.
As of Sunday night, the defendant remained at the McHenry County Jail, with court set to resume Wednesday, Jan. 7. Authorities said further updates would follow the hearing and the filing of additional reports.
Author note: Last updated January 5, 2026.