Editor’s note: This post contains graphic content.
A video so disturbing that people were hoping it was a hoax appears to real, and Chicago police say they are currently questioning suspects in the torture and beating of a man to shouts of “f**k white people” and “f**k Donald Trump” that was live-streamed on the Internet.
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
https://twitter.com/passantino/status/816800623072903168
Chicago police call the Facebook Live video attack "a brutal attack on an adult male with special needs" pic.twitter.com/JALyjZ9h36
— BuzzFeed News (@BuzzFeedNews) January 5, 2017
Here’s the video: please be aware that it’s graphic and very disturbing.
#BREAKING: Chicago Police tell FOX 32 that four people are in custody after man tied up, tortured on Facebook Live https://t.co/TY2rboK0JE pic.twitter.com/m0z6yRRtUI
— FOX 32 News (@fox32news) January 4, 2017
A second video shows the victim being threatened with a knife until he says, “Fuck Donald Trump” https://t.co/T1b9tW0Wmg
— Brandon Wall (@Walldo) January 5, 2017
Police held a press conference Wednesday afternoon.
Four in custody after Facebook Live video shows a man being tortured in Chicago. "Fuck Donald Trump" can be heard https://t.co/YufKl5qZs6
— Brandon Wall (@Walldo) January 5, 2017
CPD speaking now: "The victim, who is not a Chicago resident, is currently recovering" pic.twitter.com/HH2x73f5Qt
— Brandon Wall (@Walldo) January 5, 2017
Police say officers found the man, a suburban resident reported missing, yesterday. He may have been kidnapped. Video streamed online.
— Mitch Smith (@MitchKSmith) January 5, 2017
4 people in custody. 3 from Chicago, 1 from Carpentersville, charges expected in the next 24 hours
— Brandon Wall (@Walldo) January 5, 2017
Chicago police:
-Suspected attackers stole van, took the victim from suburb-4 people in custody. Charges expected in 24 hours pic.twitter.com/mPkQzhzURN
— BuzzFeed News (@BuzzFeedNews) January 5, 2017
Is this a hate crime? CPD won't say at this point – still under investigation. “If the facts got us in that direction” then they’ll pursue
— Brandon Wall (@Walldo) January 5, 2017
Victim was released from hospital. Chicago police say hate crime charges are possible. "It's sickening," police superintendent says.
— Mitch Smith (@MitchKSmith) January 5, 2017
Chicago Police superintendent: "It's sickening. It makes you wonder what would make individuals treat somebody like that"
— Brandon Wall (@Walldo) January 5, 2017
CPD is investigating if the “fuck white people/ Fuck Donald Trump” lines were “sincere or stupid ranting or raving" pic.twitter.com/o0GbviLbBI
— Brandon Wall (@Walldo) January 5, 2017
The victim is white. Anti-white and anti-Trump messages are heard in video of beating. Police say the four suspects are African-American.
— Mitch Smith (@MitchKSmith) January 5, 2017
Chicago Police say the victim appears to have initially went voluntarily with one of the perpetrators he knew from school
— Brandon Wall (@Walldo) January 5, 2017
CPD: "At this point we don't have anything concrete to really point us" towards a hate crime, again calls it “stupidity”
— Brandon Wall (@Walldo) January 5, 2017
Chicago PD don't have anything concrete to call attack a hate crime. Repeatedly emphasize its sickening stupidity https://t.co/QP2hnL6e8R
— BuzzFeed News (@BuzzFeedNews) January 5, 2017
Someone asks if this was politically motivated; Chicago Police Superintendent Johnson just says “no.”
— Brandon Wall (@Walldo) January 5, 2017
CPD press conference regarding disturbing live social media video depicting a battery ; victim was tied up https://t.co/jDrjfz4sJV
— Chicago Police (@Chicago_Police) January 5, 2017
The story just gets more horrible:
Chicago Police say the man tortured has "mental health challenges." He may have been held hostage for 24-48 hours. @cbschicago @cbsnews pic.twitter.com/nLjA8pcTsW
— Audrina Bigos (@AudrinaBigos) January 5, 2017
Twitchy will update this story as details become available.
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