Couple charged with attempted murder in CTA hammer attack and robbery

Shakena Agee and Travis Andrews have been charged Prosecutors charged Andrews and Agee with attempted first-degree murder, robbery, and aggravated battery causing great bodily harm. Andrews is also charged with misdemeanor resisting.

The victim, a 31-year-old man from River Forest, was on the Western Blue Line train at 430 South Western when a man and woman took his phone around 3:50 p.m. on August 20. Chicago police released surveillance images of the suspects one day later, hoping the public would help identify them.

Prosecutors said Andrews took the man’s phone from his hand and then struggled with the victim. Agee allegedly entered the fray and took possession of the phone as Andrews beat him with a hammer.

The victim suffered skull fractures, brain bleeding, and a fractured cheekbone, according to a criminal complaint.

Judge Ankur Srivastava granted the State’s pre-trial detention petition for Andrews. However, Judge Antara Rivera rejected a similar petition for Agee, opting instead to send her home on an ankle monitor until he next court date.