West Loop stabs Chicago: family speaks out, City Winery waiter François Swain allegedly killed by colleague Clarence Johnson

CHICAGO (WLS) — A south suburban family is mourning the loss of a Harvey grandfather and restaurant server who was stabbed to death while working in the West Loop.

Francois Swain, 47, was killed earlier this week by a co-worker, Chicago police said.

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The victim's family spoke with ABC7 on Saturday about how their ongoing concerns turned into a tragic reality.

For a little over a year, Swain took public transportation from Harvey to the West Loop to work at City Winery. His family was always concerned about his safety when he went to work. Their worst fears came true, not on the train, but at work.

“I was really against transportation, you know,” said Swain's mother, Karen Coleman. “And to know that he was killed on the job, it’s horrible.”

Swain provided the necessary support even in his last moments of life.

“I keep thinking… 'How was my brother feeling? Was he scared?'” said Swain's sister, Erica Ferrell. “Again, he probably didn’t think anything of it because he was so busy trying to help someone.”

Swain was working as a server at City Winery in the West Loop on Wednesday evening when the 47-year-old man was stabbed multiple times with a penknife by a dishwasher, Clarence Johnson said, police said.

“I believe he met the performers for the evening, wished them a good show, and then a few minutes later he left,” Ferrell said.

Johnson, who has previously been convicted of 12 felonies, was arrested at the scene and charged with the deadly attack.

In court Friday, prosecutors said the stabbing was unprovoked, occurring after Johnson was lying on the floor praising Jesus as staff prepared for an evening concert.

“Hearing that something had happened at work, I was like, 'What? What do you mean?'” Ferrell said. “I thought it would be a safe place to work.”

A judge ordered Johnson to remain in custody while awaiting trial.

In the meantime, the victim's mother and sister are struggling to understand the tragedy that took Swain away not only from them, but also from her 19-year-old daughter and 1-year-old grandson.

“And her grandbaby, he just started walking,” Coleman said. “So he was so proud of it.”

Funeral arrangements for Swain are pending.

Johnson is due back in court on June 12.