Teens Arrested After Kidnapping, Torture Video Posted On Facebook
Four Chicago area residents are in police custody in connection to the kidnapping and torture of a missing 18-year-old with special needs. A video of the incident was posted on Facebook Live while the assailants shouted “F-ck Trump!,” sprinkled cigarette ashes on the victim and cut off his hair with a knife until his scalp bled.
“It’s sickening,” Chicago Police Supt. Eddie Johnson said. “It’s 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 in a lifetime, but it still amazes me how you still see things that you just shouldn’t.”According to CBS Chicago, the victim was taken from the Northwest suburbs and brought into the city’s west side in a stolen van. He had already been reported missing when authorities found him outside. They made the connection after the now removed video was found on Facebook.
Four people – two men and two women – have been arrested following the horrendous act. It is not yet clear whether they will be charged with kidnapping or a hate crime as racially charged language was used during the assault.
Regarding the disturbing video that surfaced on social media of a battery: Incident is under investigation/suspects are being questioned pic.twitter.com/GGi3qs9rGv
— Chicago Police (@Chicago_Police) January 4, 2017
In a statement feleased to the public, Chicago police said the following:
“At 5:26 p.m. officers then responded to a battery at a residence on the 3300 block of W. Lexington where they discovered signs of a struggle and damage to the property and where able to link this evidence to the disoriented male,” the statement said. “Officers later became aware of a social media video depicting a battery of an adult male which is believed to be the same individual.”
The victim was treated at a hospital and released to his parents.
Right-wing supporters have made multiple attempts to attach the incident to the Black Lives Matter movement, even though there is no clear connection between the two.
Photo Credit: Twitter