Austin Silverman charged with attempted murder of Woodstock Shell gas station clerk after being denied job application
A Woodstock man has been charged with attempted murder in an attack against a gas station clerk, officials announced Friday.
The attack happened in the morning of Dec. 31 at a Shell gas station, located at at 110 N. Eastwood Drive in Woodstock, the McHenry County State's Attorney said.
A suspect, identified as 29-year-old Austin Silverman of Woodstock, allegedly asked the gas station clerk for a job application and was denied, officials said. Silverman then allegedly "became enraged, crossed the threshold behind the counter, and attacked the clerk, punching and kicking her repeatedly."
After the attack, Silverman then allegedly "attempted to unsuccessfully blow up the gas station by extinguishing a cigarette into a gas pump," McHenry County officials said.
The suspect then tried to enter the business again, but he was arrested by responding officers who viewed surveillance video of the incident, officials said.
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The gas station clerk suffered severe injuries.
Silverman is now facing felony charges, one count of Attempted First Degree Murder and one count of Aggravated Battery in a Public Place. He appeared in court Friday, where he was denied pretrial released.
The suspect is set to appear in court again Jan. 7.
