Seven minors, all aged 13 and under, have been charged following a violent attack on a woman and her son in Chicago's Far South Side, near Orville T. Bright Elementary School. WGN-TV reported that the incident, which occurred on November 17 and was captured on video, sparked national outrage and prompted multiple calls for action from the community.
In the viral footage, a 33-year-old mother and her son were surrounded, verbally harassed, and physically assaulted by a group of juveniles. The clip shows the woman and her child being punched and ultimately thrown to the ground. According to the Chicago Police Department, those charged in relation to the attack include three 10-year-old boys, a 10-year-old girl, an 11-year-old girl, a 12-year-old boy, and a 13-year-old girl. All have been referred to counseling services and released from custody, according to a report by WGN-TV.
ABC7 Chicago provided insight into the aftermath of the attack, revealing that the victims were taken to Trinity Hospital in serious condition. The mother, identified as Corshawnda Hatter, spoke with the news outlet, expressing her distress, "So much pain, emotional, physical, I'm not feeling good at all," Hatter said. She had reportedly informed school staff about her son being bullied for two years, with no substantive action taken in response. Hatter's frustration was evident as she recounted that school officials were elusive whenever she sought to address the bullying issue, "For two years, and they have not done a thing," she told ABC7 Chicago.
In light of the attack, Chicago Public Schools, Mayor Brandon Johnson, and the Chicago Teachers Union have all made declarations condemning the violence and advocating for a safer environment for students and families. The CPS statement obtained by ABC7 emphasized their commitment to fostering a secure learning environment, while Mayor Johnson's statement underscored the city's efforts in deploying additional resources and supporting the affected family. The Teachers Union pointed out the need for more resources like safe passage workers and restorative justice coordination, citing a gap caused by underfunding. "It's clear the community needs to be invested in and have more services provided," the Chicago Teachers Union stated.
