CHICAGO: Veteran TV Reporter Brutally Attacked by 7-Time Felon

Latest Updates on the Attack on ABC7 Chicago Reporter Leah Hope

As of February 20, 2026, significant new developments have emerged in the case involving the January 2 attempted carjacking and violent assault on veteran ABC7 Chicago reporter Leah Hope in the Loop.

• Victim Identity and Interview: Leah Hope, a long-time reporter for ABC7 (WLS-TV), publicly identified herself as the victim and spoke out for the first time in an on-camera interview with her colleague Eric Horng, aired on February 16, 2026. She described the terrifying ordeal: While covering the planned closure of the State-Lake CTA station, she returned to her parked SUV on State Street, buckled up, and was about to drive away when Noah Johnson suddenly appeared. He opened her door, punched her repeatedly, grabbed her jaw, and ripped her tongue from the bottom of her mouth, tearing ligaments. Hope said she was "fighting for my life" and called the four men who intervened by pulling Johnson off her "angels." She expressed surreal feelings about being on the "victim side" of a story and hoped Johnson receives needed support, noting, "The consequences of people not getting the support they need, it affects us all." She was off the air for five weeks recovering from her injuries, which included severe trauma to her mouth and jaw.

• Suspect Arrest and Charges: Noah B. Johnson, 43, was arrested on February 5, 2026, following a warrant issued on January 13. He faces charges of vehicular hijacking (upgraded from attempted in some reports), aggravated battery, and unlawful vehicular invasion. Prosecutors highlighted the random, vicious nature of the attack, where Johnson mumbled and growled without speaking coherently while assaulting her. The incident was captured on surveillance video.

• Court Status: At his bond hearing, Judge James Murphy III ordered Johnson detained without bail pending trial, citing his seven prior felony convictions—including multiple armed robberies, attempted armed robbery, narcotics offenses, and aggravated battery of a peace officer. No trial date or further pretrial hearings have been publicly reported yet, and the case remains in the pretrial phase in Cook County court.

• Media Coverage Surge: The story gained broader attention after CWB Chicago's initial February 15 report (which initially withheld Hope's name per standard victim privacy practices). Once Hope spoke publicly, outlets including ABC7 Chicago, WGN-TV (which reviewed police reports and court filings), Yahoo News, and others picked it up. Coverage has focused on Johnson's criminal history, the daylight downtown location, bystander intervention, and Hope's call for better mental health support to prevent such crimes.

No additional court proceedings or major updates have been reported in the last few days beyond Hope's interview and the confirmation of Johnson's detention. The investigation appears complete with charges filed, and the focus now shifts to the criminal proceedings. Hope continues to recover and has returned to work. Updates would likely come from court records, ABC7, or local crime reporters if new developments occur.

17GEN4.com