DeKalb Man Joshua Boyer Charged With Attempted Murder, Hate Crime After Machete Attack on Housemate
Joshua Boyer faces attempted murder, aggravated domestic battery, and hate crime charges after attacking a housemate with a machete over a money dispute in DeKalb, police said.
A DeKalb man is facing attempted murder, aggravated domestic battery, and hate crime charges after attacking a housemate with a machete in the early hours of Thursday morning, police said.
DeKalb police responded to the 800-block of Edgebrook Drive just before 12:30 a.m. Thursday, May 28. Officers arrived to find a male victim who had suffered a severe injury to his right forearm.
"Joshua Boyer approached an officer and admitted to attacking the victim, who he was living with, with a machete over money," police said.
Witnesses told investigators that Joshua Boyer made racial epithets toward the victim during the attack and threatened to kill him. Those statements led police to add a hate crime charge to the case.
Officers and fire officials treated the victim at the scene before transporting him to Northwestern Medicine Kishwaukee Hospital. Authorities did not release the victim's name or age.
Police recovered the machete used in the attack. Boyer was taken to the DeKalb County Sheriff's Office to await a detention hearing.
A domestic dispute turned violent
The attack unfolded inside a home shared by Boyer and the victim. Police said the incident was sparked by a dispute over money. The situation escalated quickly, with Boyer wielding a machete and striking the victim in the arm.
Witnesses who spoke with police described racial slurs being used during the assault. Those allegations form the basis of the hate crime charge.
What happens next
Boyer remains in the custody of the DeKalb County Sheriff's Office. A detention hearing will determine whether he stays jailed while the case moves forward.
Attempted murder in Illinois is a Class X felony, carrying a prison sentence of 3 to 30 years. Aggravated domestic battery is a Class 2 felony, punishable by 3 to 7 years in prison. Hate crime charges can enhance penalties depending on the underlying offense.
The DeKalb Police Department did not immediately provide additional details beyond the initial report. This story will be updated as more information becomes available.