A gut-wrenching video has ignited fury in Chicago’s Far South Side after a mother and her 9-year-old son were violently attacked by a group of children as they walked home from Orville T. Bright Elementary. The shocking footage shows the two being struck, tripped, and punched — and it’s caused a wave of outrage in the community.
According to police, the 33-year-old woman and her son were walking around 3:10 p.m. on Monday in the 10600 block of South Bensley Avenue, just steps from the school. That’s when a group of juveniles closed in, and the assault escalated quickly. The mother and her child were taken to Trinity Hospital with serious injuries.
The viral video, shared tens of thousands of times, shows several school-aged kids surrounding the family, unleashing blows, stomping and kicking. One onlooker described it as footage no parent should ever have to watch.
Speaking out after the video spread, the mother shared that her son had allegedly faced bullying at Orville T. Bright Elementary for over two years, but she felt the school didn’t do enough to protect him. Her words struck a chord as dozens of parents and community members gathered outside the school the next morning, chanting “No justice, no peace,” demanding accountability for the kids involved.
Illinois State Senator Willie Preston showed up at the scene Tuesday, calling the video “a symptom of something that’s been going on for a long time.” He said the reaction needs to go beyond just condemning the act — there needs to be real consequences and better oversight.
Chicago Public Schools (CPS) responded with a statement saying they were “horrified by the attack,” and that they’re working closely with the Chicago Police Department, the Mayor’s Office, and other agencies to support the family. CPS also reiterated its commitment to ensuring every school is both physically and emotionally safe, pointing to their Student Code of Conduct and the need for proactive communication within school communities.
On the law enforcement side, Chicago Police have confirmed they’re investigating the case, but as of now no arrests have been made. Area Two detectives have the case, and parents say that justice can’t wait.
For the family, the emotional scars may run even deeper than the physical ones. The outrage growing in the neighborhood reflects not just this single attack, but a broader frustration: many parents believe there’s a pattern of unchecked aggression among students — and a school system that hasn’t done enough to stop it.
