A horrifying incident unfolded in Whiting, where a young man found himself in a life-threatening situation after meeting someone on a gay dating app. The encounter took a dark turn when a vicious hammer attack occurred inside an abandoned home in West Pullman, leaving the victim fighting for his life.
The incident took place on March 23, 2024, and as details emerge, prosecutors have charged Carl Sturdivant, a repeat offender, with attempted murder and robbery in connection with the crime.
According to reports, the 24-year-old victim connected with Sturdivant, 44, through the gay dating site Sniffies.com, arranging to meet at a motel in Hammond for a sexual encounter. Upon arriving at the motel in his mother’s white Chevy, the victim found Sturdivant with two other men. They indulged in drugs like marijuana, cocaine, and methamphetamine before the supply ran out.
Determined to continue their drug-fueled activities, Sturdivant and the victim drove to a drug house to replenish their stash. Subsequently, they went to Sturdivant’s home for more drug use and consensual sex, but once again, their supply dwindled.
In a desperate attempt to acquire more drugs, Sturdivant directed the victim to an abandoned house on South Princeton, where they believed they could find more narcotics. The victim followed Sturdivant into the house, and that’s when the situation escalated.
The victim recalls seeing Sturdivant turning towards him in the basement before losing consciousness. He later woke up in the kitchen, surrounded by blood, wearing only a jockstrap. His belongings, including his iPhone, AirPods, wallet, and his mother’s car, were missing.
The victim managed to attract a neighbor’s attention by screaming for help, leading to his rescue and subsequent hospitalization at Christ Advocate Hospital. He suffered severe injuries, including chipped teeth, multiple skull fractures, and brain hemorrhaging from blunt force trauma, requiring two brain surgeries.
Chicago police later discovered the victim’s mother’s car near the abandoned house, along with a bloodied hammer and two phones linked to Sturdivant. DNA testing confirmed Sturdivant’s DNA and the victim’s blood on the hammer.
Following a thorough investigation, Sturdivant was detained pending trial on charges of attempted first-degree murder, armed robbery, and aggravated battery with a deadly weapon. He was already in custody for a separate felony shoplifting case, with a history of past felony convictions, including robbery, criminal sexual assault, and narcotics charges.
This chilling encounter serves as a stark reminder of the dangers lurking in the shadows, highlighting the importance of caution and vigilance, especially when engaging with strangers online.
