Woman fatally stabbed by ex-boyfriend on CTA platform in loop: prosecutors – NBC Chicago

A Chicago man has been charged with fatally stabbing his ex-girlfriend on a CTA train platform early Saturday morning in the Loop, authorities say.

Alejandro Arellano, 31, is charged with first degree murder in connection with the death of Samantha Maldonado, 26. According to authorities, the two individuals were former colleagues who had been in a relationship for 5 to 6 months before breaking up about a week before the stabbing.

A bond offering revealed that Maldonado and Arellano met at Miller’s Pub, 201 S. Wabash, around 12:30 p.m. Saturday. At around 1:20 a.m., Maldonado left the bar, with Arellano following her about 5–10 seconds behind her. Arellano followed her to the CTA train platform at Adams and Wabash, as shown in CTA surveillance video.

As Maldonado walked up the stairs of the CTA station, Arellano pulled out a folding knife, court documents revealed. She then rushed down the stairs, arrived on the platform, and hid behind a box of CTA equipment. As Arellano drove to where she was hiding, Maldonado attempted to board a train that was arriving at the station. Arellano managed to pull him away from the train doors, authorities said.

A struggle then ensued and Maldonado tried to pull away from Arellano, at which point he approached her from behind stabbing her multiple times in the chest and abdomen, according to the offer. . Maldonado tried to fight Arellano and block the attack, but was stabbed at least four times, authorities said.

Arellano boarded a train and returned home after being stabbed, authorities say.

Maldonado was able to descend the stairs from the CTA platform and collapsed in the middle of the street. Several civilians and security guards from Miller’s Pub immediately came to the aid of the victims. When paramedics arrived at the scene, Maldonado told them that Alejandro Arellano was the person who stabbed her and provided his date of birth. The 26-year-old was taken to an area hospital and later pronounced dead from her injuries.

“The key piece of evidence in this case came from the victim herself,” said Eric Carter, the police’s first deputy. “She named (…) the attacker before succumbing to his injuries.”

A person who was at Miller’s Pub at the same time identified Arellano in a series of photos and said he and Maldonado were at the bar together before the stabbing, according to proffer. Around 3 p.m. Saturday, police arrested Arellano, who was wearing what appeared to be the same clothes he was wearing at the time of the homicide, officials said. Prosecutors said his pants and shoes appeared to have blood on them. Additionally, a folding knife with blood and tissue on the blade was found in his pocket, authorities said.

In statements, Arellano identified himself and Maldonado as the individuals seen in the CTA surveillance video. Arellano admitted the two got into a fight and said he followed his ex-girlfriend onto the platform, authorities say. Arellano also said he “stabbed” Maldonado once with a blade, but could not remember any more stab wounds, as stated in the offer.

But if there were more, Arellano said, he would have done it, according to court documents.