Man charged with attempted murder of Woodstock gas station clerk after being denied job application

WOODSTOCK, Ill. (WLS) — A Woodstock man has been charged with attempted murder in a “brutal attack” against a gas station clerk, officials announced Friday.

McHenry County prosecutors say this all stemmed from the suspect being denied a job application. That’s when police said he viciously attacked the gas station clerk before trying to blow up the business.

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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’s Office 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 attacked the clerk, who suffered severe injuries.

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 ravaged counter showed what police say was a woman’s fight to survive.

“He crosses the threshold into her workspace and attacks her,” Woodstock Police Chief John Lieb said.

Police say the 29-year-old suspect then began to punch and kick the victim repeatedly, and at one point smashed her head into the wall before getting his hands on a wooden club.

“The clerk grabbed it to defend herself,” Chief Lieb said. “Unfortunately, the individual was able to wrestle it away from her and use it against her.”

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He then went outside to allegedly further his attack on the business, police said.

“He did try to light one of the gas pumps on fire… using a cigarette, yes,” Chief Lieb said. “The clerk did lock the door. He tried to re-enter the store. Thankfully, due to the locked door, he was not able to re-enter.”

The victim called 911, and it was surveillance video that led to a swift arrest at the suspect’s home, who was known to police.

“He was still in the same clothing that was in the video,” Chief Lieb said. “I hope down the road we achieve justice for this victim.” 9:40

Police said the victim later took herself to the hospital, suffering from multiple broken bones.

The suspect is set to appear in court again Jan. 7.

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.