Northwestern Ph.D. Pushed Rider Onto CTA Tracks: Prosecutors

CHICAGO, IL — A Chicago man who recently received a PhD in neuroscience from Northwestern University is charged with attempted murder after allegedly randomly pushing a rider off of a CTA platform and onto train tracks over the summer.

Chad M. Estep, 34, of the 1700 block of West Ellen Street, Chicago, was arrested Monday and charged with attempted first-degree murder and aggravated battery in a public place. He also is charged with trespassing on a CTA platform without paying.

The incident happened while a 46-year-old man was waiting to board a Blue Line train on his way home from a Cubs game shortly after 11:30 p.m. Aug. 1 at the Washington Station at 19 N. Dearborn St. The rider was shoved from the platform by the suspect, who continued to harass the victim while he was on the tracks. The suspect also did not allow the victim back up on the platform.

Witnesses to the attack eventually helped the victim, and he was able to get back on the platform. The victim hurt his right wrist in the fall. (Get Patch real-time email alerts for the latest news for Evanston — or your community. And iPhone users: Check out Patch's new app.)

RELATED: Man Pushed CTA Rider Onto Tracks At Loop Blue Line Station

Estep, who received a Ph.D. in neuroscience in March from Northwestern University, was "positively identified" as the suspect in the incident before being arrested Monday evening at his home. His bail was set at $200,000 Tuesday afternoon, according to the Chicago Tribune.

Originally, Chicago police and CTA did not issue a public alert about the attack. Investigators said the reason for that was because they believed the attack was an isolated incident. Photos of the suspect were given to police officer and CTA security workers, however.

A video from a station security camera allegedly showing the suspect was eventually released to the public by police more than a month after the attack after the Tribune approached police.

Detectives found Estep after identifying him with the help of an associate with knowledge of the incident, a police spokesperson told the paper.

A former classmate of Estep who had co-authored academic papers with him told the Tribune that the news of his arrest "certainly is unexpected." He described Estep as bright and a hard worker who got along with other classmates.

Patch editor Joe Vince contributed.

» Read more from the Chicago Tribune

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_{Top photo: Chad Michael Estep booking photograph | via Chicago PD}