Gang attacks Chicago commuters with machete, seven arrested in train platform assault

CHICAGO, Sept. 10 (UPI) -- Seven people, ranging in age from 15-23, including two 15-year-old boys and a 15-year-old girl, have been arrested and charged after attacking two Chicago commuters with a machete Monday.

Just after 12:30 a.m. on the Kedzie Brown Line train platform in Chicago's Albany Park, the group approached two brothers, one 26 and one 17, and asked them to throw their gang signs.

The brothers refused, saying they weren't in a gang.

18-year-old Mario Elvira pulled out a machete and started slashing, hacking into the older brother's head and neck.

Footage from the platform security camera shows the gang circle around the victims as Elvira brings the blade down over and over, using two hands to swing the sword in an overhead arc at one point.

Elvira continued violently hacking at his victim, his gang surrounding him, until the next train pulled into the platform, sending the seven fleeing on foot moments before officers arrived.

WGN aired surveillance video of the incident, editing out a majority of the brutal attack.

Police caught up with the group a short time later.

The younger victim was not injured and his older brother taken to Swedish Covenant Hospital in stable condition to receive treatment for his wounds, including one gash six inches long and one-and-half inches deep requiring 31 stitches.

According to the Chicago Tribune, the four adults (Elvira; Jean Salvatierra, 23; Kevin Ramierz, 19; and Kevar Preston, 20) were charged with robbery, aggravated battery causing great bodily harm, and trespassing on CTA property, and are being held on bails between $250,000 and $450,000.

Of the minors, whose names authorities have not released, one boy was charged with aggravated assault and trespassing, while the other boy and girl will only face trespassing charges.