A homeless man was charged with first-degree murder by the Chicago Police Department in the fatal stabbing June 19 of Anat Kimchi, a University of Maryland doctoral student.
Tony Robinson, 41, was charged with murder, robbery and aggravated battery in the death of Kimchi, who was attacked while visiting “The Loop” central business district in downtown Chicago. The Israeli-born Kimchi was reportedly visiting friends in Chicago.
Robinson, who arrested on June 24, was identified by surveillance cameras and with the assistance of a cooperating witness. He is being held central bond court in Chicago. Robinson was denied bail and appeared in court June 28 for a preliminary hearing.
Robinson was reportedly living in a homeless encampment approximately 200 feet away from the stabbing scene. During a search of his tent, police found a pair of knives and a black sock filled with rocks.
A North Potomac resident and 2008 graduate of the Charles E. Smith Jewish Day School in Rockville, Kimchi was 31. She and her family moved to the United States approximately two decades ago, according to the Ynet news website.
Police said they believe Robinson attacked two other women in downtown Chicago earlier this month, approaching them from behind and hitting them with an object.
“This defendant has, for lack of a better term, [been] terrorizing downtown in regards to the crimes he’s now facing charges,” said Assistant State’s Attorney James Murphy during a bond hearing.
Kimchi was a doctoral student in the University of Maryland’s Department of Criminology and Criminal Justice. In a statement issued June 21, the University of Maryland said it “grieves the loss of Anat Kimchi, a brilliant young scholar. We offer our condolences to her friends and family during this difficult time.”
Gary D. LaFree, chairman of the Department of Criminology and Criminal Justice at the University of Maryland, wrote in an email to the campus community: “Anat was already a notably accomplished scholar, but more importantly she was a remarkable woman who was beloved by friends and family.”
In 2017, Kimchi earned her master’s degree in criminology and criminal justice from the University of Maryland. Previously, she earned bachelor’s degrees in psychology and criminology.
Kimchi’s funeral service was held on Wednesday, June 23. She was the daughter of Avi and Chava Kimchi, and sister of Itamar and Ofer Kimchi.
Donations in her memory can be made on the Charles E. Smith Jewish Day School’s website via this link. The Kimchi family has requested that donations also be made to the Equal Justice Initiative.
Updated June 28, 2021
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