Prosecutors: Jealous knifeman slit victim's throat in Pilsen bar

A 29-year-old man slit a man’s throat in a Pilsen bar because he believed the man was talking to his girlfriend, prosecutors said Sunday.

Ulises Almaraz, 29, of Berwyn, has been diagnosed with schizophrenia and is also bipolar and stopped taking medication, according his attorney.

Almaraz was ordered held without bail during a court hearing Sunday.

Almaraz was charged with one count of first-degree murder in the stabbing death of Rodolfo “Rudy” Avina in Simone’s bar early Saturday.

Almaraz and a woman went to the bar at 960 W. 18th St. about 12:30 a.m. Saturday. While at the bar, the woman talked to both Almaraz and Avina, who she also knew, Assistant Cook County State’s Attorney Jennifer Cooper said.

While the woman was standing at the bar, Avina was seated to her left. Almaraz was behind them, pacing, Cooper said. Almaraz walked up to the woman and she gave Avina a hug.

Almaraz then grabbed Avina, 45, from behind and slit his throat with a knife before tackling him to the ground, Cooper said. Avina was also stabbed in the chest.

When the woman pulled Almaraz off Avina, she saw Almaraz holding a bloody knife, which she gave to a security guard, Cooper said. The security guard detained Almaraz until police arrived.

Surveillance video captured the entire attack, Cooper said.

Almaraz told police that he stabbed Avina because “he was talking to the defendant’s girl,” Cooper said.

Almaraz is scheduled to appear in court again Monday.