A Chicago cardiologist found herself the target of a brutal, unprovoked attack inside a hospital elevator, leaving her with visible injuries and a community shaken. The incident unfolded on November 2nd, as the 42-year-old physician entered an elevator at Northwestern Memorial Hospital’s Streeterville campus parking garage.
Sean Popps, 39, allegedly followed the doctor into the elevator and immediately began punching her repeatedly in the head. The victim, caught completely off guard, instinctively covered her face with her hands as she stumbled backward, attempting to shield herself from the onslaught.
Police reports indicate no prior contact between the doctor and her attacker, classifying the assault as entirely unprovoked. The resulting injuries were significant, leaving the cardiologist with multiple bruises, hematomas, and abrasions to her face, head, arms, and hands.
Hospital security quickly identified Popps through surveillance footage, recognizing him as a frequent source of disruption. Records revealed a disturbing pattern: over thirty prior incidents at the hospital requiring his removal from the premises.
One officer stationed at the hospital recalled dealing with Popps approximately twice a day over the past nineteen months, highlighting the escalating frequency of his problematic behavior. This wasn’t an isolated event, but a continuation of a long-standing issue.
This year alone, Popps has been arrested a dozen times, with the vast majority of these incidents occurring on or near the Northwestern Memorial Hospital campus. His history of arrests extends back years, including seven in 2024, two in 2020, two in 2021, and one each in 2022 and 2023.
Adding another layer to the situation, Popps was already on pretrial release at the time of the elevator attack. He faced charges for allegedly trespassing at a residential building in October and attempting to escape from police custody after his arrest.
Currently, Popps is being held at the Cook County Jail, facing charges of aggravated battery in a public place. The case has raised concerns about safety within hospital facilities and the handling of individuals with repeated encounters with law enforcement.
