Overview

• A disagreement between two acquainted men at the beer garden escalated around 5:30 p.m. on June 30 into a fatal stabbing over a shared romantic interest.
• The victim, 56-year-old John Branscomb, was taken to Northwestern Memorial Hospital with multiple upper-body stab wounds and pronounced dead by medical staff.
• The 64-year-old suspect sustained a chest wound, underwent surgery at the same hospital and was released without charges on July 1.
• Authorities noted the suspect told investigators the victim attacked him first and that he acted to stop the assault, which influenced the decision not to file charges.
• The stabbing follows a 2024 shooting that killed two workers at the same tourist destination, renewing debate over security measures at Navy Pier.