What was supposed to be a quick trip to the store turned into a fight for survival for 62-year-old Larry Gilkey.
Now, as he spends his Christmas Eve in a hospital bed rather than at home, the Chicago man is sharing his story and calling for better security on the city’s transit system.
On December 16, around 5:40 p.m., Gilkey was heading home on a CTA bus in the Austin neighborhood.
According to court documents, a teenage girl began arguing with him in the 700 block of South Cicero Avenue.
Family members say the group asked Gilkey for money, and when he pulled out his cash, the situation turned violent.
“They were beating me in my chest, they kicked me in my head and my back,” Gilkey recalled from his hospital bed. “Next thing I knew, I woke up, and I was at the hospital.”
Prosecutors say the group knocked Gilkey to the floor near the front door.
Even after the driver stopped the bus, the suspects continued to punch, kick, and stomp on Gilkey as he lay motionless.
The attack left Gilkey with severe trauma to his head and body.
Doctors placed him in a medically induced coma for several days to manage brain swelling.
While he still struggles to remember every detail of the night, his spirit remains resilient.
“I’m getting better and better every day,” Gilkey said.
To help with mounting medical bills and rent during his recovery, his family has launched a GoFundMe page.
Chicago Police have arrested three people in connection with the beating:
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Lyndale Roberts Jr., 18: Charged with aggravated battery and causing great bodily harm.
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Two 15-year-olds (boy and girl): Each charged with three counts of aggravated battery.
Roberts and one teen were caught on December 21 while police were investigating separate vehicle burglaries.
All three suspects are currently being held pending trial.
This incident is the latest in a string of violent crimes on the CTA that have left commuters feeling unsafe.
While the CTA utilizes thousands of cameras, Gilkey says they aren’t enough to stop criminals.
“They need more security,” Gilkey said. “The cameras aren’t helping. They [the suspects] don’t care. They’re jumping in front of the camera.”
For now, the 62-year-old says he has changed his own habits to stay safe, vowing never to use the transit system after dark.
