A judge on Tuesday refused to release a suspect who is facing attempted murder charges for “completely randomly” and unprovoked stabbing a guest multiple times and attacking a second guest at a hotel in McHenry.
The McHenry Police Department responded around 12:03 a.m. Saturday to the Hampton Inn McHenry, 1555 South Route 31 in McHenry, for a report of a disturbance.
It was reported that a stabbing had occurred and the McHenry Township Fire Protection District was dispatched to the scene.
Officers arrived and found two people bleeding, according to fire department radio traffic.
Paramedics staged nearby until officers secured the scene.
Two medical helicopters were requested to be placed on standby but all nearby helicopters declined to fly due to the inclement weather.
Officers arrested the suspect, identified as Colin M. Foster, 28, of McHenry.
A preliminary investigation determined Foster suddenly and unprovoked attacked and stabbed a 48-year-old man multiple times with a knife, police officials said.
A second victim, a 38-year-old man, was also attacked and battered, allegedly by Foster. He did not suffer any stab wounds.
There was no connection between Foster and the victims, police officials said. All three were overnight guests at the hotel.
Court documents said the attack was “completely random” and the two victims traveled to McHenry to attend a dog show. One was from Minnesota and another was from New York.
The stabbing victim was transported to Advocate Condell Medical Center in Libertyville for treatment.
He had suffered serious but non-life-threatening injuries, police officials said.
Prosecutors said the victims were in the parking lot of the hotel when Foster aggressively approached them and stabbed one, leading the second victim to intervene and save the first man’s life.
The first victim was stabbed eight times, including one in the chest directly above his heart.
Foster was charged with one count of attempted first-degree murder, a Class X felony, and two counts of aggravated battery causing great bodily harm, a Class 3 felony.
Foster was transported to the McHenry County Jail in Woodstock and appeared for an Initial Appearance Court hearing on Monday.
A detention hearing was held on Tuesday after the McHenry County State’s Attorney’s Office filed a petition to detain Foster pending trial, arguing he poses a danger to the community.
McHenry County Judge Michael Feetterer granted the petition and said that Foster’s behavior and prior statements could be characterized as suicidal and homicidal.
The judge also noted that statements were made by people who love and are a big part of Foster’s life that indicated Foster should not be released “based on where his head is at.”
“As such currently so no conditions or set of conditions can mitigate the threat the defendant poses,” Feetterer said.
“This was an appalling and senseless act of violence carried out against two unsuspecting visitors to our community. We are grateful that the victim survived this brutal attack and wish him strength as he continues to recover,” McHenry County State’s Attorney Randi Freese said.
“We are pleased that the Court granted our petition to detain this dangerous man. Every resident and visitor in McHenry County deserves to feel safe from random acts of violence,” Freese said.
Anyone with information is asked to contact the McHenry Police Department Criminal Investigation Division at 815-363-2599.
Those wishing to pass along anonymous information are asked to call the McHenry Police Department Tip line at 815-363-2124. All calls made to the tip line are anonymous as caller identification is not used.
Foster is scheduled to appear in court again on June 23 for a status of preliminary hearing.