Chicago Man with Multiple Arrests Faces New Charges After Assaulting Doctor in Hospital Elevator
CHICAGO, Ill. — A Chicago man with a history of numerous arrests this year was taken into custody again after allegedly assaulting a doctor inside an elevator at Northwestern Memorial Hospital’s Streeterville campus. Sean Popps, 39, who has been arrested 12 times in 2025 alone, reportedly attacked a 42-year-old cardiologist on November 2, according to police reports and local media.
The incident occurred around 1:39 p.m. when the cardiologist entered an elevator in the hospital’s parking garage at 236 East Huron Street. Prosecutors said Popps followed the physician into the elevator and began punching her repeatedly in the head without any provocation. The assault caused the doctor to stumble backward while shielding her face, sustaining multiple bruises, hematomas, and abrasions to her face, head, arms, and hand.
Authorities confirmed that the victim had no prior contact with Popps before the attack, which was described as unprovoked. A Northwestern hospital security guard later identified Popps from surveillance footage and noted that he had been removed from the hospital premises over 30 times in previous incidents. Another hospital officer recalled encountering Popps approximately twice daily over the past 19 months.
Popps’ pattern of arrests predominantly involves Northwestern Memorial Hospital and its vicinity. Records show he was arrested seven times in 2024 and twice in both 2020 and 2021, with additional arrests in 2022 and 2023. The Chicago Police Department’s records, reviewed by Fox News Digital, highlight a troubling history of repeated offenses on hospital grounds.
This case underscores ongoing challenges faced by healthcare facilities in maintaining safety for staff and patients. Northwestern Memorial Hospital is one of Chicago’s leading medical centers, and incidents like this raise concerns about security measures in place. The hospital’s response to repeated disturbances involving the same individual has come under scrutiny.
Chicago law enforcement continues to investigate and pursue charges against Popps. His repeated arrests and alleged violent behavior have brought attention to the need for coordinated efforts between hospital security, local police, and social services to prevent future attacks.
For more information on hospital safety protocols and law enforcement’s role in protecting healthcare workers, visit the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s workplace violence page and the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s violent crime division. The Chicago Police Department continues to work closely with hospitals to address repeat offenders and enhance security measures.
As this case develops, it highlights the broader national conversation about violence against healthcare professionals and the need for effective interventions. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration provides guidance and regulations aimed at reducing workplace violence, including in medical settings.
Popps’ attorney has not been identified, and further legal proceedings are pending. Meanwhile, the injured cardiologist is recovering from her injuries sustained in the unprovoked attack.
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