Bellwood man faces murder charge related to fatal City Winery stabbing

Chicago police charged the man suspected of fatally stabbing a coworker inside City Winery in the West Loop Thursday with first-degree murder. 

Authorities charged the man suspected of fatally stabbing a coworker inside City Winery in the West Loop Thursday with first-degree murder.

The suspect, Clarence Johnson, 41 of Bellwood, was arrested Wednesday at 5:23 p.m. after allegedly attacking a 47-year-old man at the entertainment venue where they both worked in the 1200 block of West Randolph Street, Chicago police announced Thursday evening.

Details of what led to the deadly attack were expected when Johnson appeared before a Cook County judge for a detention hearing on Friday.

On Thursday, the Cook County medical examiner’s office identified the victim as Francois Reed-Swain. His death was ruled a homicide caused by multiple stab wounds.

Reed-Swain was rushed to Stroger Hospital with multiple cuts to his back and chest in critical condition, but was later pronounced dead, police said.

Michael Dorf, founder and CEO of City Winery, said in a statement that he was devastated by the loss of his staff to violence.

The venue planned to add security so that staff and guests “feel as comfortable and safe as possible,” Dorf wrote. “What we experienced is the opposite of what we try and deliver every day—joyous hospitality,” Dorf said. “Frank will be missed and his memory a blessing.”

rjohnson@chicagotribune.com