A judge has found a man guilty of attempted murder after he stabbed a fellow passenger multiple times on a Pace bus in Vernon Hills, leaving the victim severely injured.
Errol O. Shakes, 53, who is homeless, was charged in October 2021 with attempted murder, a Class X felony, aggravated battery causing great bodily harm, a Class 3 felony, and aggravated battery with a deadly weapon, a Class 3 felony.
The Libertyville Police Department and Vernon Hills Police Department responded around 8:04 p.m. on October 21, 2021, to the area of Milwaukee Avenue and Greggs Parkway for a report of a stabbing.
Officers learned a 58-year-old homeless man had been stabbed multiple times while riding on a Pace bus, according to the Vernon Hills Police Department.
The incident occurred while the bus was traveling southbound on Milwaukee Avenue between Greentree Parkway and Greggs Parkway in Vernon Hills.
The 58-year-old victim was transported to Advocate Condell Medical Center by paramedics.
Police said he sustained serious injuries but was stabilized and recovering at the hospital. Officers arrested Shakes at the scene.
A judge ordered him held in the Lake County Jail on a $1 million bond following his arrest.
Court records show Shakes has multiple past misdemeanor arrests and a felony arrest in 2011 for a sexual abuse case, which was later dismissed.
A bench trial in front of Lake County Judge George Strickland began on Tuesday and concluded on Wednesday.
Police officers and medical personnel testified that they responded to the scene where they found the victim with severe injuries.
Video from the bus showed Shakes stabbing the victim multiple times.
Strickland found Shakes guilty of one count of attempted murder, a Class X felony, after the state and defense rested their case Wednesday morning.
“This was an unprovoked and brutal attack. This offender will be removed from the community and sent to prison after the success of our trial team,” Lake County State’s Attorney Eric Rinehart said after the verdict.
“I want to thank ASAs Lenzini and Caskey for their outstanding work to make sure that a clear message is sent that violence will not be tolerated in our community. Our victim specialists will support the victim going forward,” Rinehart said.
The charge of attempted murder carries a sentencing range of six to 30 years in the Illinois Department of Corrections to be served at 85%.
Shakes is scheduled to be sentenced by Strickland on January 19.