A hate crime at a Carpentersville McDonald's left 19-year-old Kady Grass with a broken nose and bruises, after an altercation that authorities say was motivated by her sexual orientation. The Kane County State's Attorney's Office has since charged two individuals, 19-year-old John Z. Kammrad and an unnamed 16-year-old boy, with felony counts including a hate crime, as reported by the Chicago Sun-Times. The assault, which took place earlier in May, began when Grass and her young cousin were verbally accosted before it escalated into a physical attack.
The incident, which unfolded after a remark concerning Grass's sexual orientation, quickly spiraled into violence, the details of which emerge from the victim's account. "People were so surprised when it happened because the world is supposed to be more accepting now, but they need to realize that hate crimes never stopped," Grass told the Chicago Sun-Times. Grass later recalled, in her words, an attempt to keep her distance before being struck and stomped upon, leading to unconsciousness, and enduring effects that surpass her physical injuries.
To seek justice and manage the aftermath, Grass has raised upwards of $72,000 through a GoFundMe campaign, designed to cover her medical expenses and legal fees. As her recovery continues, the emotional and mental scars prove to be more challenging, detailing episodes of panic attacks and night terrors in her conversation with the Chicago Sun-Times. "For a while I couldn’t even look at myself in the mirror without crying," she said.
"Kammrad's plea setting is scheduled for June 27 at 9 a.m., according to court records. He is currently being held in the DuPage County Jail for 'separate, unrelated charges,' officials said, as noted by ABC News.
