Full Breakdown
Fatal Stabbing of CTA Janitor Highlights Gaps in Electronic Monitoring
By Drooid · · How we work
Fatal Stabbing at the Damen Green Line Station
A 37-year-old man, Chevazz Campbell, entered the Damen Green Line station on the CTA around mid-afternoon and attempted to bypass the fare gate. After an argument with a CTA employee, he sprayed Julian Mobley, a 41-year-old CTA janitor, in the face twice with mace, chased him down an escalator, and stabbed him once in the neck with a knife taken from his bag. Mobley fled into a janitor’s closet, bled heavily, and was taken to Stroger Hospital, where he was pronounced dead. Police recovered Mobley’s CTA identification card and cellphone in a nearby storm drain, where Campbell was seen bending down after leaving the scene.
Prior Probation and Electronic Monitoring
Campbell was already on electronic monitoring as part of probation for two felony cases. Prosecutors noted that he had violated his curfew at least four times before the stabbing. The monitoring system, which relies on ankle-bracelet alerts, has been criticized for failing to trigger timely enforcement when a wearer is unaccounted for.
Official Reactions
Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson said his administration is committed to ensuring safety for CTA commuters and employees. Cook County State’s Attorney Eileen O’Neill Burke and ATU Local 308 president issued a joint statement urging a permanent legislative solution to strengthen accountability in the state’s electronic monitoring program. The Amalgamated Transit Union described Mobley as a hero who died while trying to stop an attack on a fellow member.
Data on Monitoring Violations
City officials have reported that roughly one in twelve defendants wearing ankle monitors in Chicago have gone “AWOL,” indicating a systemic enforcement shortfall. Campbell’s four curfew violations illustrate how repeated breaches can occur without immediate corrective action.
Legislative Calls and Next Steps
Prosecutors have detained Campbell on charges including first-degree murder, armed robbery, and felon-in-possession of a weapon. The joint statement from the State’s Attorney’s Office and ATU Local 308 calls for legislative reforms to close monitoring gaps, improve real-time tracking, and enhance public-safety protections for transit workers. No specific hearing dates have been announced.