The stepson of a Chicago police officer, who was stabbed more than 10 times in the head and face while she was off-duty, was charged with attempted first-degree murder in the attack, officials said Sunday.
David Johnson, 21, of South Deering, is alleged to have attacked his stepmother with a kitchen knife Friday morning as she was driving in the South Shore neighborhood, police said.
The 47-year-old woman was taking Johnson to the University of Chicago Medical Center to see his therapist because she was “concerned about him and his behavior,” according to Assistant State’s Attorney Jillian Anselmo.
Johnson was recently diagnosed with schizophrenia and is seeking treatment, according to his public defender.
He repeatedly stabbed the off-duty officer when she stopped at a red light near the 1600 block of East 76th Street, causing her to hit a school bus, police said.
The tip of the kitchen knife broke off during the attack and became lodged in her temple.
Johnson allegedly tried to slash her throat, but the victim blocked him with her hands and managed to get out of the car. She was stabbed in both hands. Officers recovered a knife at the scene.
She was taken in serious condition to Northwestern Memorial Hospital and released Sunday, police said. Johnson fled the area on foot but turned himself in about eight hours later.
Prosecutors said he approached a school Safe Passage worker near 76th Street and Cregier Avenue and “told him that he stabbed someone but didn’t want to go to jail.”
The Safe Passage worker called police and Johnson waited there until police arrived.
Prosecutors said the victim has been a CPD officer for 18 years and has been married to Johnson’s mother for more than four years.
Johnson, of the 9700 block of South Commercial Avenue, audibly sobbed as prosecutors described the incident Sunday during a bond hearing at the Leighton Criminal Court Building.
Judge Sophia Atcherson said release was not “appropriate” in this case and ordered Johnson held on no bail.
His mother, father and brother were present in court and declined to comment.
nmoreno@chicagotribune.com
Twitter @nereidamorenos
