MAN CHARGED WITH FATALLY STABBING BANK WORKER
A man has been charged with fatally stabbing a bank worker in the lobby of a River North branch office Wednesday.
Jawaun Westbrooks, 35, faces one felony count of first-degree murder in the death of Jessica Vilaythong, Chicago police said.
Vilaythong, 24, was attacked around 11:10 a.m. Wednesday “after having a brief conversation” with a man inside the Chase Bank branch at 600 N. Dearborn St., police and fire officials said.
Chief of Detectives Brendan Deenihan said the stabbing was caught on video, which showed the shirt the person wore, their jogging pants and another shirt over his head. Video stills were sent to downtown officers and the department set a grid search so they “weren’t roaming aimlessly.”
He was spotted while walking downtown, and “due to calling for backup and having the proper people there, we were able to take him into custody without him harming somebody else or an officer,” Deenihan said. “It really was a good job to get that person taken into custody that quickly, especially everybody was afraid that he could possibly harm or be harming somebody else.” A weapon was recovered at his arrest. “We are devastated by the passing of our colleague Jessica Vilaythong and extend our deepest sympathies to her family and loved ones during this incredibly difficult time,” a Chase spokesman said. “Jessica was a wonderful person and valued employee. She was extremely outgoing, passionate, hardworking, and quick to help clients. We will miss her greatly.”
Westbrooks, whose family has said he struggles with mental illness, was accused in 2014 of attacking two women with a hammer near Navy Pier.