Man allegedly recorded himself stabbing sleeping passenger to death on Chicago train

CHICAGO (TCN) — A man has been charged with first-degree murder in connection with the stabbing death of a random passenger on a public transit train in Chicago.

CBS News reports that on Jan. 10 at around 2:15 a.m., Demetrius Thurman, 40, allegedly recorded himself stabbing a sleeping passenger, Dominique Pollion, 37, in the chest and abdomen. Pollion reportedly woke up and tried to back away from Thurman as he allegedly advanced. He then allegedly turned the camera to selfie mode as Pollion collapsed. He then moved into another train car.

A passenger alerted security officers at the next stop. When they approached Pollion to attempt lifesaving measures, he was wearing so many layers it was not immediately apparent he had been stabbed, CBS News reports.

Thurman was reportedly recording from outside the train as security officers boarded to check on Pollion. He then turned the camera back toward himself, said “somebody got his ass,” then allegedly left the station.

Pollion was pronounced dead at the hospital, according to CBS News. 

Detectives were able to identify Thurman using a combination of video surveillance footage and the Illinois Secretary of State’s facial recognition program, CBS News reports. Thurman was arrested Jan. 11. Officers obtained a search warrant and found the recorded video on his cellphone.

At a hearing on Jan. 13, Thurman was ordered detained, WLS reports. Prosecutors said the decision was made because Thurman is “so dangerous to the entire community, no lesser conditions can mitigate that danger.”

The New York Post reports Thurman is being held without bond and is scheduled to appear in court Feb. 3.

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