[Update] Watch: Chicago Police Charge the Four Individuals Responsible for Torturing Disabled Man With Hate Crime and Aggravated Kidnapping
Four teens have been arrested in connection with the torturing of a mentally disabled man, confirmed Chicago police. The beating of the unidentified 18-year-old man was broadcast to Facebook live in a 28-minute long video.
In the video, a woman taped three others — one female and two male — use a knife to threaten the frightened young man. As they cut into his sweatshirt and chopped off patches of his hair, they yelled “F**k Trump” and “F**k white people.”
The young man was found by a Chicago patrolman in the area who saw him roaming around the streets in distress. According to police, the man was reported missing on Monday by his parents, who said they dropped him off at a McDonald’s on Saturday, reported Chicago Tribune.
Although the original video was taken down, copies have been posted online – Warning: The language in the video below is graphic
In a press conference, Chicago Police Superintendent Eddie Johnson explained that his department believes the actions of the assailants were "stupid," but they are not ready to call it a hate crime.
“It’s sickening. It makes you wonder what would make individuals treat somebody like that,” Johnson said. “It still amazes me how you still see things that you just shouldn’t. I’m not going to say it shocked me, but it was sickening.”
Johnson confirmed that the individuals remain in custody while the investigation is underway
According to police, the victim lived in a suburb of Chicago called Crystal Lake. Based on the missing persons report and their investigation, police estimate that the victim was with the suspects for about 24-48 hours.
The Cook County State’s Attorney’s Office said it had filed felony criminal charges against Jordan Hill, 18, Tesfaye Cooper, 18, Brittany Covington, 18, and Tanishia Covington, 24, reported The Washington Post.
In addition to the felony charges, some of the suspects are charged with additional counts of aggravated kidnapping, aggravated battery and aggravated unlawful restraint. All four are scheduled to appear in court Friday afternoon.