A Hammond, Ind., man is in police custody, charged with knifing a Chicagoan in a highly publicized July 3 knifing in Boystown in Chicago's North Side Lakeview neighborhood.
Police announced the arrest during a July 8 press conference and said the online posting of a video of the attack, as well as tips from the public, help lead to the arrest.
Darren Hayes, 24, of Hammond was taken into custody after police identified him by comparing his Facebook photo with his image on video. Two knives were also recovered.
The video prompted outcry from Lakeview residents who say the neighborhood is increasingly unsafe. In it, a large group of people is depicted attacking two people who are on the ground.
Prosecutors alleged that Hayes threw the first punch and said they will him with attempted murder before a grand jury. Hayes is being held in Cook County in lieu of $700,000 bond.
The stabbing occurred just before midnight at 3312 N. Halsted. Police said that two groups got into a verbal altercation that turned physical.
Police said that the stabbing victim, a 25-year-old gay man, has been released and is recovering at home.
CBS 2 identified the man as Rubin Robinson. In that report, Robinson said he was happy to be alive. "These things need to stop. They need to stop in Boystown. They need to stop everywhere," he said, adding that he hoped that the attack would not lead to discrimination against African- American gay men. Both the victim and the alleged attacker are African-American.
Robinson, who is from the Englewood area on the city's South Side, told ABC 7 news that he suffered five stab wounds after a heated exchange of words led to his attack. Robinson has said that his attackers, who he didn't know, insulted him on the street. When he spoke back, they attacked him.
Robinson told the Sun-Times that he had been at Black Pride events earlier in the day, and that be believes his attackers were gay men.
The incident is not currently being investigated as a hate crime, said police.
Hayes stands charged of four counts of aggravated battery and felony mob action. According to police, Hayes has no prior arrests and is cooperating with police.
"He definitely made us aware of the fact that he was there," said Sergeant Debra DeYoung. "He identified himself."
Young would not say if Hayes had identified others involved in the attack.
Police said they are looking for other suspects who participated in the attack. They believe that others at the scene took photos and videos with their phones and are asking those residents to come forward with information.
44th Ward Ald. Tom Tunney responded to the news in a press statement. "I'd like to personally thank the Chicago Police Department for their diligent pursuit of this case and to our residents for assisting in the ongoing investigation," her said. "The video footage and anonymous tips assisted detectives in identifying and locating the individual who police believe led the attack. The offender has been charged with three counts of aggravated battery and felony mob action. I understand that police will continue to work to identify the other individuals involved and make additional arrests. I will continue to work with public and private institutions on providing additional resources and security in Lakeview during the late night hours."