Loyola Students on Edge After ‘Loop Puncher’ Attacks in Chicago

Multiple students across Chicago’s college campuses are voicing safety concerns following a series of random attacks committed by a man known online as the “Loop Puncher,” who has been accused of striking pedestrians and Chicago Transit Authority (CTA) riders in the Chicago area. 

The incident—several of which were caught on video and circulated on social media—have led to widespread unease among students who frequently rely on public transportation to commute to Loyola’s Lake Shore and Water Tower campuses. Many victims appear to be women, raising additional concerns about targeted violence and rider safety. 

An Oct. 12 TikTok post by @Ucf.Kubruh shows footage of the alleged Loop Puncher walking near the Loop and appearing to search for his next victim. The clip quickly went viral, intensifying fear among students who commute through the area. 

Although Chicago police have since arrested the Loop Puncher, students said the incidents have made them more cautious while commuting. It’s unclear if the Loop Puncher is still in custody as of Oct. 21.

Olivia Conery, a fourth-year fashion merchandising major at Columbia College Chicago, said she was attacked near the Harrison Red Line station while walking to her bus stop after class Sept. 30 around 12 p.m.

“I was looking down at my phone, and the next thing I know my sunglasses got knocked off,” Conery said. “He hit me in the face from the side and then just kept jogging forward like nothing happened.”

Conery said she was stunned and called the police after picking up her glasses. 

“They told me I could come down and file a report, but I ended up not doing so because I didn’t think it would do much,” she said. “It’s definitely made me more aware of my surroundings. I don’t look at my phone much while walking anymore.” 

Since the assault, Conery said she’s changed her route to avoid the area where it happened.

“I take the long way around to my bus stop now,” Conery said. “The city should keep him in jail. I don’t understand why he keeps getting released.”

Only about 13% of assault incidents in Chicago result in an arrest, according to a report from the Cook County State’s Attorney Office. Data from recent years also show that many suspects are released before trial or see their charges reduced, fueling frustration among residents who feel the system fails to protect them from repeated offenders.

Second-year journalism and political science major Jackson Steffens said he encountered the man twice — first, while commuting southbound to the Water Tower Campus (WTC), and again when he was heading northbound with a friend.

En route to WTC while the train was stopped at the Fullerton station, the “loop puncher” entered Steffens’s cabin via the emergency exit and walked through it, shoving a woman who was standing near Steffens. He said she was shoved onto other people but appeared to be fine afterwards. The man stepped off the train and seemed to exit the station.

The second time, a few weeks after the first encounter, Steffens said he was sitting with a friend while the train was traveling north around the Bryn Mawr stop. 

“He came up to me and he said, ‘Can I ask you a question?’ And then I said, ‘Yes,’ and he walked away from me,” he said.

To the best of Steffens’s memory, the man was wearing the same clothes both times. Steffens said he thinks the incidents are bad for public safety and especially women, who he said seem to be the most frequent targets.

“It’s especially important to make sure there’s not assault happening on public transit, because it’s something you want to encourage people to use,” Steffens said.

First-year biology major Ava Foster said she encountered the same man on the Red Line earlier this semester while heading to Union Station. The man was described as a 6-foot-tall Black man wearing blue pants and a matching top.

“He switched train cars while the train was moving and came up to me and my friend asking for money,” Foster said. “We tried to avoid eye contact, but it was really uncomfortable. Since then, I’ve stopped riding the train alone.”

Ella Poulton, a first-year human resource management major, said she saw the suspect on the Red Line a few weeks ago on her way to class downtown. 

“He was yelling at a lady and just seemed really angry,” Poulton said. “I was surprised he wasn’t arrested sooner considering how many videos of him were already going around online.”

Poulton said she now avoids the CTA when possible.

“I take the Loyola shuttle home every day now because it feels safer,” she said. “It’s unsettling because the Red Line is how most of us get to class.”

While Loyola’s Campus Safety Department encourages vigilance, several students said they were disappointed the university didn’t send an alert “warning about the repeated cases of aggression towards students.” 

“There was no crime alert or email,” Foster said. “I found out everything through social media. It would help if Loyola updated us more about things happening near campus, not just on campus.”

Campus Safety Special Projects Commander Tim Cunningham said in an email to The Phoenix that officers are aware of recent incidents and continue to monitor incidents around campus.  

“Campus Safety reiterates the need to always be aware of your surroundings and to report suspicious behavior immediately,” Cunningham wrote. “Incidents can be reported to Campus Safety by calling 773.508.SAFE or the Chicago Police Department through 911. Campus Safety is always assessing incidents around our campuses and directing patrols accordingly.”

A CTA train attendant, who wished to remain anonymous, said staff are aware of the growing anxiety among riders. The attendant said they weren’t authorized to speak publicly. They did not mention any communication directly from their boss, only describing the traditional procedure followed if there is a threat. 

“Employees report and respond to suspicious behavior as quickly as possible,” the worker said. “It’s difficult to prevent some incidents, but we always try to make sure passengers feel as safe as possible.”

The employee added how these recent events have greatly impacted students and daily commuters. 

“It is understandable that these incidents can impact how safe someone feels utilizing public transportation daily.”

“It’s scary because it could’ve been any of us,” Foster said. “Even with him caught, the fear kind of sticks with you.”

The Chicago Police Department and the Chicago Transit Authority didn’t respond to The Phoenix’s request for comment.  

Jackson Steffens is a deputy news editor of The Phoenix.