CHICAGO — A 41-year-old Lawndale man is facing felony charges after allegedly attacking his neighbor with a machete during a violent confrontation in their apartment building’s hallway, prosecutors revealed in court Saturday.
Victim Slashed During Hallway Dispute
The incident occurred Thursday morning in a shared hallway of a building in the 3800 block of West 13th Street, where the victim and suspect live in adjacent apartments. According to prosecutors, the victim had just returned from shopping when he encountered his neighbor, David Colvin, in the hallway.
What began as a brief conversation turned hostile when Colvin allegedly retrieved a machete and slashed the victim in the shoulder and neck area. Authorities say the victim ran back into his apartment and called 911 while bleeding from his wounds.
Suspect Held Without Bond
Colvin was arrested at the scene after responding officers recovered the machete and found blood in the hallway. He has been charged with attempted murder, aggravated battery with a deadly weapon, and unlawful use of a weapon by a felon, according to court records.
Prosecutors also revealed that Colvin has a prior felony conviction for unlawful use of a weapon from 2013, making him ineligible to possess the blade.
Judge Maryam Ahmad denied bail during Saturday’s hearing, citing the “extreme danger” posed by the unprovoked nature of the attack and Colvin’s criminal history.
Victim Hospitalized But Survives
The victim was taken to Mount Sinai Hospital with deep lacerations to his shoulder and the left side of his neck. Officials say he is expected to recover but sustained significant soft tissue damage.
Police have not disclosed a specific motive, but residents in the building told officers the two men had an ongoing dispute over shared hallway access.
Ongoing Investigation
The incident remains under investigation. Chicago Police are reviewing surveillance footage from the hallway and nearby entrances to verify the sequence of events. Prosecutors said the footage corroborates the victim’s account of being unexpectedly attacked by Colvin after an initial verbal exchange.
Colvin is next due in court on June 20.
Community Safety in Focus
This incident has reignited concerns in the Lawndale area about in-building violence and repeat offenders. Local advocates are calling for better conflict resolution resources and greater support for residents dealing with hostile neighbors or prior offenders.
Have you ever witnessed a neighborhood dispute that escalated to violence? Share your thoughts or experiences with us at ChicagoSuburbanFamily.com.
