Man Killed on Chicago Red Line Was Trying to Prevent Another Attack on a Passenger

A man who was stabbed to death on Chicago’s L Train was attempting to prevent his alleged killer from attacking another commuter, the Chicago Sun-Times reports.

Tony Polk killed 54-year-old Troy Johnson during a confrontation that began in a Red Line car and ended with Polk stabbing Johnson in the chest when the two fell from the car onto an L platform on Saturday, Cook County prosecutors said on Wednesday.

Polk, 40, and a female associate had gotten on the train, and Polk spoke to a person near him, Assistant State’s Attorney James Murphy said. After Polk moved to a seat across from his friend, he reportedly lunged at the woman, trying to get the folding knife that was tucked in her belt.

Polk took the knife then grabbed a passenger who was seated across from Johnson and “put the knife to him,” Murphy explained. While the woman had cut her hand during the struggle with Polk and taken off, Johnson attempted to help the man whom Polk was holding by knifepoint.

Surveillance footage on the train and platform recorded the attack. Later, the woman went to the police to “clear” her name after seeing photos of herself and Polk on TV.