$250K bond for man charged with stabbing at Northerly Island concert

SUN-TIMES MEDIA WIRE - A man ordered held on a $250,000 bond for allegedly stabbing two people during a punk concert Tuesday night at Northerly Island was acting in self-defense, according to his public defender.

Thomas Christensen, 34, faces one felony count of aggravated battery with use of a deadly weapon and one misdemeanor count of battery, according to Chicago Police.

He got into an argument with a 29-year-old man and 34-year-old woman about 9:30 p.m. at a bar inside Huntington Bank Pavilion at Northerly Island, police said at the time. The three were attending a concert by Rancid and Dropkick Murphys.

The argument spilled into the venue, where Christensen pulled a knife and stabbed the man in the neck and face, police said. The woman suffered a cut to her abdomen as a group tried to separate the men.

The victims were taken to Northwestern Memorial Hospital, where the man was in serious condition and the woman in good condition, police said.

Christensen was taken into custody and provided medical attention at the scene for superficial wounds, police said. A knife was recovered.

He was knocked to the ground during the fight, and his public defender described the fight as self-defense during Thursday’s hearing.

Christensen, who has a business degree from Portland State University, has lived in Chicago for three years and works for Prairie Shores, a real estate company, according to his public defender.

Judge James Brown ordered him held on a $250,000 bond.