From the State’s Attorney:
COURT GRANTS STATE’S ATTORNEY’S OFFICE’S PETITION TO DETAIN MAN CHARGED WITH ATTEMPTED FIRST-DEGREE MURDER
McHenry County State’s Attorney Randi Freese announced today that the Honorable Judge Cynthia Lamb granted the State’s petition to deny pretrial release for Austin Silverman, 29, of Woodstock, Illinois.
Silverman appeared in Initial Appearance Court on January 2, 2026, charged with one count of Attempted First Degree Murder, a class X felony, and one count of Aggravated Battery in a Public Place, a class 3 felony.
Evidence was presented in court this afternoon that in the morning hours of December 31, 2025, Silverman entered the Shell Gas Station located at 110 N. Eastwood Drive in Woodstock and approached the clerk working behind the counter.
Silverman inquired with the clerk for a job application, which was declined.
Silverman became enraged, crossed the threshold behind the counter, and attacked the clerk, punching and kicking her repeatedly.
At some point, Silverman stopped the brutal attack and left the store.
The clerk managed to get to her feet and locked the door.
While outside, Silverman then attempted to unsuccessfully blow up the gas station by extinguishing a cigarette into a gas pump.
Moments later, Silverman returned to the store and tried to come back inside.
Responding officers viewed surveillance video and were able to identify Silverman as the assailant.
The clerk sustained severe injuries to her face, ribs, and arms.
During the hearing on the State’s Petition to Deny Pre-trial Release, Judge Lamb found that there were no conditions or combinations of conditions that the court could impose to keep the community safe based on dangerousness.
State’s Attorney Freese commends the Woodstock Police Department for their immediate response and apprehension of Silverman.
“This was a brutal, heinous, and unprovoked attack on a defenseless woman.
“We are pleased that, after the hearing, our petition to detain this dangerous defendant was granted and that he will remain in custody pending the outcome of these charges,” State’s Attorney Freese stated.
Silverman’s next court appearance is scheduled for January 7, 2026, in courtroom 302.
Members of the public are reminded that this complaint contains only charges and is not proof of the defendant’s guilt. A defendant is presumed innocent and is entitled to a fair trial in which it is the government’s burden to prove his or her guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.
