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Man arrested after threatening to shoot Ald. Hopkins, then showed up at his house

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Illinois

A Northwest Side man threatened to shoot Ald. Brian Hopkins (2nd) during a phone conversation with one of the alderman’s assistants on Wednesday, before he showed up at Hopkins’ house later that night, according to Cook County prosecutors.

Jozef Wysocki, 70, faces a felony charge of threatening a public official, court documents show.

Prosecutors said Saturday that Wysocki called Hopkins’ office days earlier to ask why traffic was blocked off for construction at Noble and Chestnut streets, an intersection on the border of Hopkins’ Near North Side ward.

After an assistant in Hopkins’ Wicker Park office told Wysocki the reason for the construction, Wysocki began swearing and mentioned an “armed revolution,” prosecutors said at the Leighton Criminal Court Building. The assistant told Wysocki there was no need to swear before he hung up the phone.

Wysocki called back three minutes later to continue his tirade with a different assistant, but this time he said he would shoot the alderman, claiming to know where he lived, prosecutors said. The assistant hung up and dialed 911 before calling Hopkins.

About 10:30 p.m., Hopkins’ wife — who hadn’t been told of the threats — saw a man lurking in front of their Lincoln Park home, according to prosecutors. She told her husband, who called police.

The minor stuff that puts some people over the edge is just… crazy.

Hopkins and I were college roommates, so I have a bias here. But, really, it’s not biased to be concerned for a government official’s life in the face of this ridiculous nonsense.

posted by Rich Miller
Monday, Aug 6, 18 @ 2:27 pm

Comments

Hopefully, there will be follow up as to whether this patriot has an FOID card and it will be revoked if convicted.

Comment by wordslinger Monday, Aug 6, 18 @ 2:35 pm
The fact that he went to their home and lurked outside is really scary…

Comment by Boone's is Back Monday, Aug 6, 18 @ 2:36 pm
It’s gettin’ nuttier by the hour?

Comment by Anonymous Monday, Aug 6, 18 @ 2:44 pm
Wishing safety to Ald. Hopkins, his family, and his staff. People in elected and appointed offices are becoming routinely yelled at, way beyond upset constituent acts. Be safe, everyone.

Comment by Amalia Monday, Aug 6, 18 @ 2:52 pm
No elected official should feel unsafe, anywhere, including at home.

It’s important this is prosecuted to the fullest extent.

Comment by Oswego Willy Monday, Aug 6, 18 @ 3:00 pm
Glad nothing happened and they apprehended the guy. Though crazy is trending these days, it will never be en vogue.

Comment by DaleyMail Monday, Aug 6, 18 @ 3:04 pm
Crazy is not a trend …but rather a self-repeating human cycle.

About 25% of humans are always waiting to go nuts against a perceived threat from The Other?

Comment by Anonymous Monday, Aug 6, 18 @ 3:13 pm
‘Insanity’defense definetly in order.

Comment by blue dog dem Monday, Aug 6, 18 @ 3:21 pm
Stay strong and be safe, Ald. Hopkins. This is outrageous.

Comment by Anonymiss Monday, Aug 6, 18 @ 3:23 pm
Wonder if this mope has a record.

Comment by Arthur Andersen Monday, Aug 6, 18 @ 3:24 pm
Very glad that he and his family are safe and sound.

Comment by Shytown Monday, Aug 6, 18 @ 3:36 pm
I had a couple of run ins with this gentleman at the DuPage County courthouse. This is…not out of character for him.

Comment by AlfondoGonz Monday, Aug 6, 18 @ 3:45 pm
What is wrong with people these days? It seems like everyone is super hot-headed.

Comment by Mama Monday, Aug 6, 18 @ 5:57 pm
Mama, not unexpected with our current Hothead in Chief. Nothing he says, does, or tweets is meant to appeal to our better angels.

Comment by West Side the Best Side Monday, Aug 6, 18 @ 8:24 pm
Remember when the guy threatened to kill Alderman Burnett and his staff did nothing and the guy stewed across the street from his officethen punched him in the face?

Hopkins staff > Burnett’s staff.

Comment by Anonymous Monday, Aug 6, 18 @ 10:25 pm