Trans attacker claims self-defense after stabbing man 13 times over remarks about gender

A male who identifies as female allegedly stabbed a 50-year-old Chicago man 13 times and left part of the knife embedded in the victim’s skull. The suspect has claimed the fatal stabbing was self-defense, according to reports.

Thirty-two-year-old Kelly Day, a male who identifies as a woman, has been charged with first-degree murder in the Oct. 7 killing of Larry Young, The Chicago Tribune reported Sunday.

During a hearing Saturday at Central Bond Court, Judge John Hock approved a request to keep Day in custody pending trial due to the violent nature of the attack, which reportedly took place in front of Day’s 7-year-old stepson. Day was scheduled to return to court Tuesday.

According to authorities, the fatal stabbing occurred near a gas station in the 1400 block of East 87th Street on the South Side.

An autopsy determined that Young died of multiple sharp-force injuries, and the Cook County Medical Examiner’s Office ruled his death a homicide. Part of the knife blade had broken off and remained lodged in Young’s skull, according to reports.

Surveillance footage reportedly showed Day standing over the victim with a knife and stabbing him 13 times in the head, neck and upper shoulders.

Prosecutors said the confrontation may have been influenced by an earlier dispute at a McDonald’s restaurant, where Day allegedly faced ridicule for using the women’s restroom.

Assistant State’s Attorney Sara Grgurovic told the court that before the stabbing, Day had expressed frustration to his wife about people making fun of him for identifying as female.

Later that day, as Day walked along East 87th Street with his wife and stepson, Young approached him. Young reportedly did not know Day. Grgurovic said Young was calm when he approached and began making comments about Day being a man who presents himself as female.

Day allegedly became “extremely angry” and resisted his wife’s efforts to pull him away. According to authorities, Young eventually shoved Day and walked away to a gas station across the street.

Prosecutors said Day followed Young to the gas station and fought with him for several minutes. The fight ended with Day fatally stabbing Young, who reportedly had made derogatory comments.

In a statement to investigators, Day later claimed he had acted in self-defense, accused Young of making a gun gesture and threatening to have someone kill his family. He also said Young used an anti-gay slur.

After the stabbing, prosecutors said, Day called 911 and reported being injured while defending himself from a “pervert,” but left the scene before police arrived. Authorities said Day discarded the knife, which was later recovered with part of its blade missing.

Day reportedly contacted emergency services a second time, claiming he had cut himself while cooking. Police arrested Day at Jackson Park Hospital, where he had gone for treatment of a cut on his finger.