Chevazz Campbell, 37, has been charged with first-degree murder, armed robbery and felony weapon possession in the fatal CTA stabbing of 41-year-old CTA rail maintenance janitor Julian Mobley at the Damen Green Line station in the 2000 block of West Lake Street on Chicago’s Near West Side on Thursday, Oct. 8. Campbell is accused of spraying Mobley in the face with mace and then stabbing him in the neck after a confrontation over fare evasion, according to the Chicago Police Department.
TL;DR: CTA janitor Julian Mobley, 41, was fatally stabbed Oct. 8 at Chicago’s Damen Green Line station after confronting Chevazz Campbell, 37, who allegedly entered through a gate without paying. Campbell allegedly sprayed Mobley with mace, chased him and stabbed him in the neck. Campbell has been charged with first-degree murder and ordered detained pending trial.
Image: The Damen/Lake Green Line CTA station in Chicago. Photo: chicago-l.org
A Fare Dispute Turned Deadly
According to a prosecutor’s court proffer detailed by Fox 32 Chicago, Campbell entered the Damen Green Line station at about 2:58 p.m. Thursday and slipped through an accessible gate without paying, then argued with a CTA customer service agent inside a kiosk.
Mobley, who was sweeping nearby, also got into an argument with Campbell as Campbell moved toward the platform. Prosecutors said Campbell left the station, removed an item from his crossbody bag, and went back inside – this time carrying mace. He allegedly sprayed Mobley in the face with mace twice.
Mobley ran from the station. Prosecutors said Campbell followed him outside, pulled out a knife and stabbed him once in the back of the neck – an attack captured on station surveillance video, according to the proffer. Mobley fled to a janitor’s closet, where he was found unconscious and later pronounced dead at Stroger Hospital.
The Suspect’s Flight and Arrest
Prosecutors said Mobley’s CTA identification card, lanyard and work phone fell during the confrontation, and surveillance video showed Campbell bending near a storm drain as he fled. The items were later recovered from that drain, which formed part of the armed robbery allegation, according to Fox 32.
Campbell allegedly stopped at a nearby convenience store, turned his jacket inside out and asked the owner to hold his duffel bag. He later surrendered to police at the Englewood district station, where he admitted to spraying and cutting the victim, according to the proffer. Chicago police had initially said he was arrested hours after the attack.
At a Sunday detention hearing, a judge ordered Campbell held at the Cook County Jail while he awaits trial. He is due back in court Wednesday, according to local reporting. Campbell faces charges of first-degree murder, armed robbery and unlawful possession of a weapon by a felon.
A Troubled Criminal History
Prosecutors said Campbell was wearing an electronic monitoring bracelet at the time of the killing and had at least four probation violations filed against him for curfew breaches, Fox News reported, citing Fox 32. He also has a prior 2018 conviction for slashing a teenager’s throat and at least two pending felony matters, according to court records cited in reporting. The case has prompted calls to strengthen Illinois’ electronic-monitoring system.
A Husband and Father of Two
Mobley was a husband and father, represented by Amalgamated Transit Union Local 308 since 2018. He leaves behind his wife of 20 years, a 14-year-old and an 18-month-old child, according to the union.
In a statement, ATU Local 308 said Mobley was killed while trying to stop an attack on a fellow union member during the fare dispute: “He died a hero.” Union President Pennie McCoach said transit workers have been sounding the alarm about station safety for years and are calling for station upgrades, better lighting, more staffing and dedicated transit police rather than officers assigned through police overtime.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is charged in the fatal CTA stabbing?
Chevazz Campbell, 37, of Chicago. He is charged with first-degree murder, armed robbery and unlawful possession of a weapon by a felon in the killing of CTA janitor Julian Mobley. A judge has ordered him detained at the Cook County Jail pending trial.
Who was the victim?
Julian Mobley, 41, a CTA rail maintenance janitor represented by Amalgamated Transit Union Local 308 since 2018. He was a husband and father who leaves behind his wife of 20 years, a 14-year-old and an 18-month-old child.
When and where did the stabbing happen?
Just before 3 p.m. on Thursday, Oct. 8, at the Damen Green Line station in the 2000 block of West Lake Street on Chicago’s Near West Side. Campbell entered the station at about 2:58 p.m., according to a prosecutor’s court proffer.
What led to the confrontation?
Prosecutors said Campbell entered through an accessible gate without paying and argued with a CTA customer service agent. Mobley was sweeping nearby and also argued with Campbell; Campbell then left, retrieved mace, and returned.
How did Mobley die?
After being sprayed with mace, Mobley ran from the station. Prosecutors said Campbell chased him and stabbed him once in the back of the neck. He fled to a janitor’s closet, was found unconscious, and was taken to Stroger Hospital, where he was pronounced dead.
How was Campbell arrested?
Chicago police said he was arrested hours after the attack. Prosecutors said he later surrendered at the Englewood district station and admitted in interviewing to spraying and cutting the victim. Before turning himself in, he allegedly changed his appearance at a nearby convenience store, asking the owner to hold his duffel bag and to borrow a hat.
Why is electronic monitoring part of this story?
Prosecutors said Campbell was wearing an electronic monitoring ankle bracelet at the time of the killing and had at least four probation violations filed against him for curfew breaches, with the state previously seeking to revoke his probation. The case has prompted calls from the state’s attorney and transit unions to tighten Illinois’ electronic-monitoring system.
