Neighborhoods near Rainbow Beach in Chicago are on high alert after two recent semi-automatic rifle incidents, which police say were likely committed by the same person.

Incident Details

In both instances, a man attacked two women from behind and groped them this month near Rainbow Beach, according to a community alert issued by the Police Department.

The first attack took place the morning of June 13, when the man threw a woman to the ground and assaulted her in the 3100 block of East 79th Street, police said. The second attack took place the evening of June 15 in the 7700 block of South South Shore Drive, and the woman attacked in that incident fled after a struggle with the man, police said.

The attacker is a Black man of “medium weight, medium complexion and short hair,” 30-40 years old and 5-foot-8 to 6 feet tall, police said.

Community Response

Neighbor Renee Nowlin, of South Chicago, appreciated the alert, which helps to publicize the recent incidents and can keep residents alert when in the area, she said.

A survivor of domestic violence, Nowlin said more mental health resources are needed in the community — to support the women who were attacked and to limit future incidents.

Original reporting: Block Club Chicago — read the source article.