A man referred to as the “Loop Puncher” has been attacking pedestrians across Chicago over the past few months. A handful of unprovoked assaults have sparked debate over Chicago’s bail conditions and overall safety.
While some of these instances have occurred in highly populated neighborhoods, such as Lincoln Park, River North, and the Loop, a handful have occurred on or in the vicinity of CTA stations and trains.
“I just get a bit more nervous and a bit more aware of my surroundings when I’m on CTA,” said Addy Biggs, a senior at Lane Tech who has frequently taken public transportation.
In a viral video posted by Yara Afaneh on Tiktok, currently standing with 1.4 million views, Afaneh records the alleged Loop Puncher being arrested on Sept. 30 at the Loyola Red Line Station in Rogers Park. According to CBS news, the assailant’s name is Derek Rucker, a 37-year-old man with an arrest record of at least 39 times dating back to 2012— all for assault and battery crimes.
Afaneh, a victim of Rucker, said, “He hit me on the back of my head with his fist” and “He’s grabbed people sexually as well, not just punched them.” Not more than 5 hours after being sent to county jail, Rucker’s misdemeanor charges were approved, incarcerating him briefly but shortly being released after establishing his court date– leaving him free until his court date on Oct. 30.
However, Rucker isn’t the only face behind the Loop Puncher. A copycat attacker has begun to catch the attention of TikTok users, as his face has been circling around the app after being spotted pacing train platforms.
Two years after Rucker’s incidents in 2012, another man named William Levingston began similar assaults on Chicago citizens, racking up 17 arrests as of Oct. and becoming the new face of the “Loop Puncher” as of recent.
Both of the attackers have been let go under the SAFE-T Act (Safety, Accountability, Fairness, and Equity-Today Act). The law was issued in 2021, ending cash bail statewide as a way to promote fairness of income and race.
Illinois judges are now legally required to look into whether or not the charge of an offender meets the definition of a simple battery to determine if they are a public safety threat. Under state law, a simple battery refers to physical contact that causes no serious injuries.
Since these attacks are classified as simple batteries, these men are often incarcerated only briefly. And as these men continue to walk the streets of Chicago, many students at Lane Tech have expressed discomfort on the matter.
“I take the bus and I also take the train pretty frequently, as well,” said Lane Tech senior Maeve Krikorian. “I feel like if people are getting inspired to punch other people on the train, then I don’t see why they wouldn’t branch out to other forms of transportation.”
The problem lies here: the same laws that allow these men to be released, can also protect underprivileged individuals. In other states, legislatures have worked to separate different types of simple battery attacks.
Advocates for the separation hold concern for the victims, believing that without clarification the severity of the action will go unnoticed. According to Florida Politics, in Florida, lawmakers have argued separating “unwanted sexual touch” from simple battery, arguing that sexual assault must be met with harsher penalties. “If it’s unwanted sexual touching, that’s very different than simple battery, where somebody, for instance, may throw a glass of water in your face,” said the Republican Rep. Linda Chaney, member of Florida House of Representatives.
Some students believe the judicial system is failing to target larger issues.
“I think they’re focused on the wrong crime,” said Addy Biggs.
Other students, when coming across the Loop Puncher on social media, weren’t surprised by the lack of efficiency of the judicial system or the actions of the attackers.
“I feel like there’s always been crazy people attacking people on the Loop,” said Aylish Irizarry.
As the CPD continues to ask citizens for help to report similar occurrences, residents are still left with concerns as attacks continue.
“I would tell them to have more police vigilance in high danger zones,” Irizarry said.
Even as calls for stricter enforcement have grown, Chicagoans remain uneasy.
