Posted by chicagomedia.org on April 27, 2008 at 17:39:29:
In Reply to: (tv) ABC7's Cheryl Burton attacked posted by chicagomedia.org on April 24, 2008 at 14:32:21:
FROM STNG WIRE REPORTS
A 29-year-old Berwyn man, believed to be mentally ill, was charged with aggravated battery Friday for allegedly walking around the Loop punching people.
At least six people were injured, including ABC-7 News anchor Cheryl Burton.
Gregory Perdue, of the 1900 block of Euclid Avenue, was charged with three counts of aggravated battery to a senior citizen, and three counts of aggravated battery in a public place, according to Chicago Police.
Just after 7 p.m., police began receiving reports Wednesday of people down at various locations downtown, police said.
Central District police said Perdue was using his fists to hit pedestrians near Washington and State streets, and confirmed that Burton was injured in the incident.
Five people with “various injuries” were taken to Northwestern Memorial Hospital on Wednesday night following the incident, police News Affairs Officer JoAnn Taylor said. None of the injuries are believed to be life threatening.
Burton was on her dinner break when she was the "victim of a random attack," WLS Assistant News Director Janet Hundley said. She was not hospitalized as a result of the attack, but was "shaken up" and resting at home Wednesday night.
Fire Media Affairs spokesman Richard Rosado said crews began receiving calls of battery victims just after 7 p.m., and several people refused ambulance transport. The locations varied around the Downtown area, with some complaining of just being shoved.
At least one person was on the ground near State and Washington, but injured people are "popping up" in different places, police said.
Perdue is scheduled to appear in court April 30.