Chicago Man Charged With Murder In Blue Line Fatal Stabbing: Police

CHICAGO — A 53-year-old Chicago man is in custody and has been charged in connection with the fatal stabbing of a man on the CTA Blue Line earlier this week, police said Thursday.

Travis Cook has been charged with first-degree murder and one felony count of murder with a strong probability of death or injure, police said. Cook is scheduled to appear in bond court on Thursday.

Police said that Cook was arrested just after 6 p.m. on Tuesday in the 1600 block of Ogden Avenue. Police said he was identified as the offender being sought in the stabbing death of a 43-year-old man on Monday on the Blue Line.

Police said that around 10:50 p.m., police and paramedics were dispatched to a stopped train at 150 Wells Drive in the South Loop. Police found a 43-year-old man with "a stab wound to the chest while on the train”. The gravely injured man was taken to Stroger Hospital, where he was pronounced dead.

The Cook County Medical Examiner's Office identified him as Nicholas Osthimer, who had an unknown address, according to officials. The cause of death was determined to be multiple sharp force injuries.

Police released surveillance photos of the man who was being sought in connection with the stabbing and asked the public to help identify him.

Media reports indicated this week that CTA-related crime is up 40 percent compared to last year at this time. Police on Thursday did not provide further information about the arrest.