Chicago murder charge: what prosecutors allege in the death of Larry Young

Chicago Police Department booking photo of Kelly Day, 32, charged with first-degree murder in the fatal stabbing of Larry Young

Kelly Day, 32, of Chicago’s Chatham neighborhood, is charged with first-degree murder in the death of Larry Young, 50. Young was stabbed near a gas station in the 1400 block of East 87th Street on the city’s South Side on the evening of Wednesday, October 7, 2026. Day is a trans-identified male. The Chicago Tribune describes Day as having been “assigned male at birth” and identifying as a woman.

A Cook County judge has ordered Day held in custody until trial.

What police reported

Chicago police said the stabbing happened at about 6:54 p.m. during an argument that turned into a fight. Young suffered multiple stab wounds and was taken to the University of Chicago Medical Center, where he died. Police said the attacker ran from the scene on foot.

The Chicago Police Department later announced that Day had been arrested and charged with first-degree murder.

The Cook County Medical Examiner’s Office ruled the death a homicide caused by multiple sharp force injuries (case ME2026-05362).

What prosecutors told the court

At a detention hearing on Saturday, October 10, Assistant State’s Attorney Sara Grgurovic described the state’s case, according to the Chicago Tribune. Prosecutors allege:

Earlier on October 7, a group of people mocked Day for using the women’s bathroom at a McDonald’s. Day later told his wife he didn’t want “bullies” to get away with making fun of his gender.
That evening, Day, his wife and his 7-year-old stepson were walking west on 87th Street when Young, a stranger to them, approached. Prosecutors say Young approached calmly but began commenting on Day’s gender.
Day became “extremely angry” and argued with Young, resisting his wife’s attempts to pull him away.
Young pushed Day and walked toward a gas station across the street.
Day followed Young across the street, and the two fought for several moments.
Surveillance video from the gas station shows Day holding a knife, standing over Young as he lay on the ground, and stabbing him 13 times in the head, neck and upper shoulders.

Prosecutors said the tip of the knife blade broke off in Young’s skull. A pathologist recovered it during the autopsy.

According to prosecutors, Day called 911 after the stabbing and said he had been injured protecting himself from a “pervert,” then left the scene and discarded the knife. Police later found the knife with part of the blade missing. Day then called 911 again, prosecutors said, this time saying he had cut himself while cooking. He was arrested at Jackson Park Hospital, where he had gone for treatment of a cut on his finger.

What Day told investigators

In a statement after his arrest, Day said he acted in self-defense. According to prosecutors, he told investigators that Young used a gay slur, made a gesture like a gun, and threatened to have someone beat Day and his wife.

Self-defense under Illinois law

Under Section 7-1 of the Illinois Criminal Code (720 ILCS 5/7-1), a person may use force likely to cause death or great bodily harm only if he reasonably believes it is necessary to prevent imminent death or great bodily harm to himself or another, or to prevent a forcible felony. Whether Day’s actions meet that standard is a question for the court.

Detention and next steps

Illinois ended cash bail in 2023 under the Pretrial Fairness Act. Instead, prosecutors can ask a judge to detain a defendant until trial. Judge John Hock granted the state’s request at Central Bond Court. The Tribune reports the decision was based partly on the brutality of the attack.

Day is scheduled to return to court on Tuesday, October 13, 2026.

Sources

*Cover photo: Chicago Police Department booking photo of Kelly Day.*

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