A suspect has been charged with attempted murder after a woman was critically injured in a brutal and unprovoked attack at Petersen Park in McHenry that also left a good Samaritan hospitalized.
The McHenry Police Department responded around 3:26 p.m. Sunday to Petersen Park, 4300 Petersen Park Road in McHenry, for a report of a disturbance.
A preliminary investigation determined Raymond P. Link, 47, of West Allis, Wisconsin, had been with his unleashed dog in the park.
Police officials said Link suddenly physically attacked a 59-year-old woman, who also had been walking her dog in the park.
“The attack was unprovoked and there did not appear to be any connection between Link and the victim,” police officials said.
A criminal complaint filed in McHenry County Circuit Court said Link stomped, kicked and struck the woman in the head and neck.
The complaint said he placed both knees on her head and neck with his full body weight and attempted to strangle the victim with his “forearm and/or hands.”
The complaint said Link attempted to strangle the woman while she “laid unconscious and unresponsive on the ground.”
The attack resulted in avulsions to the victim’s left ear, a rupture to the globe of her left eye, multiple significant lacerations and an extensive open fracture of her facial bones. She also suffered multiple dog bites.
A 37-year-old man, who did not know Link nor the victim, intervened and was also attacked by Link, police officials said.
The complaint said Link punched the man in the chest and arms more than 12 times and ordered his dog to attack.
The man suffered a broken clavicle, bruising, redness and a dog bite.
The female victim was transported to Northwestern Medicine Hospital in McHenry by ambulance and then flown by a LifeNet medical helicopter to Advocate Condell Medical Center in Libertyville.
The male victim was transported by ambulance to Northwestern Medicine Hospital in McHenry.
Link’s dog, who fled the area, was later located and transferred to the care of McHenry County Animal Control.
Officers arrested Link at the scene and transported him to the McHenry County Jail.
He was charged with attempted murder, two counts of aggravated battery causing great bodily harm, aggravated battery by strangulation and two counts of aggravated battery in a public place.
Police said the incident is still being investigated and additional information could not be released.
Anyone with information on the case is asked to contact the Criminal Investigation Division of the McHenry Police Department at 815-363-2599.