CHICAGO, IL – A 36-year-old convicted criminal, Mijawon Johnson, allegedly brutally beat a woman on a Chicago train during an attempted robbery, leaving her brain dead and not expected to survive, officials said. Johnson, who was on parole for armed robbery at the time, has a criminal history that includes six stints in prison between 2007 and 2015.
The victim, a 61-year-old woman, was riding the CTA Red Line on January 4 when she was targeted by Johnson. As they tried to steal her purse, he allegedly pinned her to a seat and repeatedly punched and stomped her head and stomach, leaving her for dead on the train. She was found by train staff at a station around 12 minutes down the line from where the attack took place.
Johnson, who was captured on surveillance footage, was arrested the day after the attack and now faces charges of attempted murder and two counts of aggravated battery. He is also facing a separate charge of violating an order of protection for entering the home of a 27-year-old woman despite being ordered to stay away from the property.
His criminal history includes previous convictions and arrests, including mugging an undercover narcotics officer. Many in the community are questioning why Johnson was on the streets given his violent criminal past, renewing concerns about parole and release policies for repeat offenders.
The attack has sparked outrage and raised concerns about public safety, as the victim fights for her life in the hospital. As the investigation continues, the community is left grappling with the consequences of repeat offenders being released back into society, amid calls for justice for the victim and her family.
In the wake of this horrifying incident, authorities are left to address the serious implications of parole and release policies for violent criminals, as the victim remains in critical condition, clinging to life.