The video shows Hadi Abuatelah, who had fled from police after a traffic stop in the village of Oak Lawn, being repeatedly kicked in the legs and head by three officers on Wednesday. Police say he was reaching for his bag, where they later found a gun. The video went viral, prompting several hundred protesters to accuse the police of brutalizing the teenager and using excessive force. Hadi remains hospitalized and suffered facial, skull and pelvic fractures and swelling on his brain, his mother Dena Nature and lawyers said at a news conference. Oak Lawn Police Chief Daniel Vittorio defended the officers’ actions and said they were consistent with their training at a news conference Thursday. Mr Vittorio claimed the teenager continued to grab a shoulder bag containing a loaded semi-automatic pistol as he struggled with officers. He said the teenager didn’t stop grabbing the bag until a third officer shocked him with a “driving shock” from his Taser, which causes severe pain. “What I’m concerned about is a 16-year-old running around with a gun,” Mr. Vittorio continued, misstating his age. The teenager’s mother said she didn’t know her son owned or carried a gun and had no previous altercations with police. Ms Natour said: “When I saw the video, my stomach was in knots. “You feel so helpless, seeing your child, seeing three grown men beating him.” Read more: Texas governor attends fundraiser as police deal with Uvalde school shooting Teen believed to have attempted TikTok water gun challenge shot by off-duty officer The police chief said the department was conducting an internal investigation into the arrest and planned to press charges against the teenager. Mr Vittorio said none of the three officers involved had been suspended or removed from active duty, although two of the officers had not returned to work after injuring themselves during the arrest. Protesters are calling on the department to fire the three officers.

title: “Police Defend Violent Arrest Of Illinois Teenager Hadi Abuatelah As Video Sparks Protests Us News " ShowToc: true date: “2022-11-06” author: “Anthony Mantini”

The video shows Hadi Abuatelah, who had fled from police after a traffic stop in the village of Oak Lawn, being repeatedly kicked in the legs and head by three officers on Wednesday. Police say he was reaching for his bag, where they later found a gun. The video went viral, prompting several hundred protesters to accuse the police of brutalizing the teenager and using excessive force. Hadi remains hospitalized and suffered facial, skull and pelvic fractures and swelling on his brain, his mother Dena Nature and lawyers said at a news conference. Oak Lawn Police Chief Daniel Vittorio defended the officers’ actions and said they were consistent with their training at a news conference Thursday. Mr Vittorio claimed the teenager continued to grab a shoulder bag containing a loaded semi-automatic pistol as he struggled with officers. He said the teenager didn’t stop grabbing the bag until a third officer shocked him with a “driving shock” from his Taser, which causes severe pain. “What I’m concerned about is a 16-year-old running around with a gun,” Mr. Vittorio continued, misstating his age. The teenager’s mother said she didn’t know her son owned or carried a gun and had no previous altercations with police. Ms Natour said: “When I saw the video, my stomach was in knots. “You feel so helpless, seeing your child, seeing three grown men beating him.” Read more: Texas governor attends fundraiser as police deal with Uvalde school shooting Teen believed to have attempted TikTok water gun challenge shot by off-duty officer The police chief said the department was conducting an internal investigation into the arrest and planned to press charges against the teenager. Mr Vittorio said none of the three officers involved had been suspended or removed from active duty, although two of the officers had not returned to work after injuring themselves during the arrest. Protesters are calling on the department to fire the three officers.