Video shows 2 suspects wanted for stabbing chef to death during Loop robbery: Chicago police

Victim identified as 41-year-old Mike Byrnes, who previously worked as a chef

ByTre Ward and ABC7 Chicago Digital Team WLS logo

Monday, September 12, 2022

Loop stabbing victim ID'd; video shows suspects

Chicago police released video of the suspects in a deadly Loop robbery and stabbing. Chef Mike Barnes, of Blue Island, was identified as the victim.

CHICAGO (WLS) -- Chicago police released footage of two suspects wanted in the robbery and stabbing death of a chef in the Loop.

Police said the pair attacked a man walking near S. LaSalle Street and W. Van Buren Street on Tuesday night. The suspects beat the victim in an attempt to steal his belongings, police said, before dragging him around the corner and continuing to kick, punch and stab him.

The victim died from his injuries, police said, as the suspects fled southbound on LaSalle and then southbound on Clark Street with the victim's phone.

WATCH | Full video of suspects sought in deadly stabbing, robbery

The Chicago Police Department released surveillance camera footage of suspects in a deadly Loop stabbing near LaSalle and Van Buren Street.

The victim was identified to the Cook County Medical Examiner's office as Mike Byrnes, 41, of Blue Island. Up until a few weeks ago, he worked as a chef at Tri-State Catering, owner Glen Tisdall said.

Mike Byrnes, courtesy of Tri-State Catering.

"We were tremendously saddened by the news," Tisdall told ABC7. "He was a stand-up guy. The footage brought tears to my eyes. He was a great guy and an excellent chef. We have a small group of about 10 people here and he was one of those people."

Byrnes' family is distraught after his death.

"It was supposed to be his last night at work before a trip to New Orleans with his long-time girlfriend," said Matthew Byrnes, brother. "I'll never learn my brother's recipes. He had a few."

His family is now planning a wake for Byrnes on Monday as they prepare for a difficult road of mourning and healing.

"There's a lot of empty question marks in our future," Matthew said. "We don't know what they are going to look like, and I don't think any of us are ready to have them filled in yet."

Byrnes had previously worked at the family-owned Krapil's Steakhouse and Patio in Worth, where the Muersch family shared their condolences in a written statement: "He's very well thought of by the family and the people who worked with him. We were shocked by the tragedy. He was kind, respectful and just a good guy. You'd be hard-pressed not to like the guy. We want to express our deepest condolences to his family."

In the video released by police, the two suspects can be clearly seen. Video shows one of the suspects wearing a white cast or wrap on his right hand.