Hardworking janitor who was dad of two is stabbed in neck and killed at Chicago L train station

DAILYMAIL.COM • 5h ago

By AISHA DIOMANDE 16:06 09 Oct 2026, updated 16:11 09 Oct 2026

A brave Chicago rail maintenance janitor lost his life as he tried to help a train operator who was being pepper-sprayed by a fare dodger.

Julian Mobley, 41, worked in the Chicago Transit Authority at the Damen Green Line station Thursday when he was stabbed multiple times in the neck by an unknown man.

Mobley intervened in an altercation over an alleged fare dispute that triggered the suspect, who allegedly maced a train operator in the station’s mezzanine in the 2000 block of West Lake Street, to stab Mobley.

When Mobley attempted to help out the operator, the unknown assailant pulled out a blade and pierced a major vein in Mobley’s neck, according to Amalgamated Transit Union workers.

The man fled the scene, and Mobley was found unresponsive in a nearby room.

Mobley was then rushed to John H. Stroger Hospital, where he was pronounced dead.

The Chicago police department and detectives are currently investigating the incident and looking for the fugitive.

CTA members gathered together to release statements asking for better safety procedures and to speak on behalf of Mobley.

ATU Local 308 President and Business Agent Pennie McCoach said in a statement:

‘Another life lost while simply doing their job, another family shattered, and a union that is tired of grieving its own.’

‘This is not a tragedy; this is a safety failure.’

‘Our members show up every single day to serve the people of Chicago; they keep the city moving; they deserve to come home safely,’ McCoach said passionately.

‘Our Brother was trying to diffuse a fare dispute after a rider sprayed our Customer Service Assistant with mace.’

‘He was then tragically stabbed to death. This is unacceptable,’ said McCoach.

‘Our members deserve to be able to go to work and come home safely each day.’

‘It is long overdue for the CTA to make real changes to ensure our members and riders are safe on rail cars, stations and at transit centers,” McCoach said according to FOX 32.

Mobley’s coworker Audrey Veasley spoke on behalf of his character.

‘He was a gentleman, a gentle, kind gentleman, said Veasley.’

‘CTA has overlooked us and our protection for years; he’s not the first janitor that’s gotten assaulted.’

‘There’s a record of janitors who have been assaulted, blindsided, attacked; even myself, we’ve been threatened, cursed at, spit at,’ Veasley said.

‘We just want to come to work, go home and take care of our families,’ said Veasley.

Mobley was a father of two and married to his wife of over 20 years.

The Daily Mail contacted the Chicago police department for comment.

Humiliated Polanski on brink of the sack after losing by-election as he faces ‘Zionism is Racism’…

Pentagon reveals firing squad execution of Fort Hood terrorist will be livestreamed

Celebrity plastic surgeon is executed in front of customers in Marbella clinic after ‘threats from a…

Jane Doe’s texts to ‘Cornell 7’ frat boy after alleged rape are revealed: ‘My memory is super…

King pays Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor’s £1.5million bill to repair Royal Lodge – after former prince…

‘She is very conscious about how she wants pictures to land’: Inside THAT lunch between Meghan and…

Robert Jenrick says ‘millions and millions’ of people in England are not ‘culturally or ethnically’…

Moment ‘sexually obsessed killer stepdad’ arrives at 19-year-old university student’s halls of…

Houthis ‘destroy Saudi passenger jet’ killing pilot at Riyadh’s international airport as Iran-backed…

Farmer who was renowned for sharing his business struggles dies aged 35 after starrring role on BBC…

Burnham’s government hits out at Hegseth’s ‘disturbing’ plan to livestream firing squad execution -…

Katie Price contacted social services saying she feared her ex-husband Kieran Hayler had groomed…

‘Traveller’ burglary squad strikes again: Terrifying moment balaclava-clad gang linked to 50…

Harry was paid ‘up to $100K’ for coping with grief ‘masterclass’: Prince pocketed fee as a…

Kate and William wow the crowds as they charm royal fans on surprise visit to Belfast

British mother who broke her back in Greece when car slammed into her quadbike is left with £28,000…

Hardworking janitor and dad of two is stabbed and killedComments are subject to our House rules and TermsNewest{{#isModerationStatus}}{{moderationStatus}}

No one seems to have shared their thoughts on this topic yetLeave a comment so your voice will be heard first.

{{upVotes}}{{downVotes}}{{#replies.comments}}{{^isLast}}{{initials}}{{userAlias}}, United Kingdom, {{formattedDateAndTime}}{{message}}

{{upVotes}}{{downVotes}}{{/isLast}}{{#isLast}}{{initials}}{{userAlias}}, United Kingdom, {{formattedDateAndTime}}{{message}}

{{upVotes}}{{downVotes}}{{/isLast}}{{/replies.comments}}{{/replies.totalCount}}{{^replies.totalCount}}{{initials}}{{userAlias}}, United Kingdom, {{formattedDateAndTime}}{{message}}

{{upVotes}}{{downVotes}}{{/replies.totalCount}}{{/isComment}}The opinions and views expressed in the comments section are solely those of the individual users and do not represent or reflect the opinions, views, or positions of MailOnline. MailOnline does not endorse, support, or verify the accuracy of any user-generated content.Terms|Privacy|FeedbackOldest{{#isModerationStatus}}{{moderationStatus}}