Graduate student Natasha McShane and her friend, Stacy Jurich, were seriously beaten with a bat and robbed in Bucktown last Friday, the Chicago Tribune reported. A Northern Irish national, Natasha McShane was out celebrating with her friend upon learning that she had gotten an internship after earning her degree from the University of Illinois at Chicago.
The student, 23 years old, and her 24-year-old friend sustained head trauma and are being treated at Advocate Illinois Masonic Medical Center. Natasha McShane underwent a medical procedure to reduce pressure in her brain and is in critical condition, while Stacy Jurich is in serious condition.
The graduate student's parents flew to Chicago upon hearing the news and said they have never encountered this type of violence before. Grandmother Bernadette McShane spoke on behalf of Natasha McShane's parents:
"They're distraught. And they're very shocked."
No one has been arrested, although police said one of the two women was able to provide a description of the attacker. According to FindLaw, the assailant likely would be charged with a felony aggravated robbery for the brutal attack.
Coworkers at Natasha McShane's place of employment, Butch McGuire's Irish Pub, have taken up a collection to help the injured woman and to help pay for her parents' visit. Pub owner Bobby McGuire told reporters that people have been walking into the pub to donate a few dollars here and there, including one donation of $200.
Employees are making arrangements for Natasha McShane's coworkers, while one pub patron offered to pay for the hotel tab.
There are several resources available to victims of crimes in the Chicago area, available through this blog in the related resources section below.
Related Resources:
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Crime Victim Resources (FindLaw)
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Cops Nab Criminal Suspects Accused of Calling Ahead to Rob a Bank (FindLaw's Legally Weird Blog)
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Contact a Chicago Criminal Attorney (FindLaw)
