A Crystal Lake man, previously declared “missing, endangered” with special needs is expected to recover after he was abused in a live Facebook posting.
Chicago police arrested four people alleged to have been involved in the attack of a mentally disabled man apparently from northwest suburban Crystal Lake. The man had recently been reported missing and endangered. A video broadcast on Facebook Live that included obscenities about Donald Trump, authorities said.
The victim — a white male — was found about 5:25 p.m. Tuesday in apparent distress by police near a home in the Homan Square neighborhood where other police officers were investigating a disturbance. Police believe the man, who is mentally disabled, may have been a missing person from Crystal Lake. The victim may have been attacked at a home about a block east from where police found him in Chicago. the address is about two blocks west of the Chicago Police Department’s Homicide Division, and about one mile west of Stroger Hospital of Cook County, just south of the Eisenhower Expressway.
Chicago Police Superintendent Eddie Johnson said today in a live periscope press conference on Twitter that authorities are still determining what charges to bring against the four people who were arrested in the case. Police are also investigating information about the case to determine whether to charge the suspects with a hate crime.
“It’s sickening. It makes you wonder what would make individuals treat somebody like that. I’ve been a cop for 28 years and I’ve seen things that you shouldn’t see. It still amazes me. I’m not going to say it shocked me but it was sickening.”
— Eddie Johnson, Chicago Police Superintendent
The video shows a young adult black woman and other people cutting the shirt off a man with his mouth taped shut. The suspects are also seen cutting the man’s hair off with a knife and pushing the man’s head with a foot, while using profanity against Trump and “white people.” The suspects also talk about sprinkling the victim with gasoline.
In the video, the woman is also seen smoking, while arguing with someone in the background about who might see the scene in the video.
By Wednesday evening, the original posting of the video had been taken down, but had been reposted by numerous people on YouTube, Facebook and other websites.
The victim from Crystal Lake is believed to have met up with someone he considered a friend, and then got involved with a group of people who stole a van in Streamwood or Carol Stream, Illinois, according to police.
About the same time the victim was discovered by alert police officers, police were at a home in the 3300 block of West Lexington Street, where they found signs of a struggle and property damage that they linked to the victim. The victim was taken to a local hospital for treatment. He was released to his parents, who arrived at the area north detective division.
The officers became aware of the Facebook Live video, which shows “a battery of an adult male (who) is believed to be the same” man, and which detectives consider “credible,” according to the police release.
Charges of battery and possibly hate crime-related charges are expected within 24 hours. Police have not mentioned kidnapping as part of the charges.
The four people being questioned are two men and two women. All four have given videotaped statements. Also, the Cook County state’s attorney’s office interviewed the victim, and will work with police to determine appropriate charges.
News of this crime is playing heavily on national news media — bringing more negative news regarding Chicagoland’s violent reputation.
Fox News: Four suspects in custody after Facebook torture video.
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