Police Defend arrest of violent teenager Hadi Abuatelah in Illinois as footage sparks protests | US News
Police in Illinois are defending the violent arrest of a 17-year-old after footage of officers punching him in the head sparked protests.
Footage shows Hadi Abuatelah, who fled police after stopping traffic in the village of Oak Lawn, being punched repeatedly in the leg and head by three policemen on Wednesday.
Police say he was reaching for his bag, where they later found a gun.
The clip went viral, prompting hundreds of protesters to accuse police of brutalizing the teenager and using excessive force.
Hadi remained in hospital and suffered fractures of his face, skull, pelvis and brain swelling, Dena Natour, his mother and lawyers said at a news conference.
Oak Lawn Sheriff Daniel Vittorio defended the officers’ actions, and said it was consistent with their training, during a news conference Thursday.
Mr Vittorio alleges that the teenager continued to reach for a shoulder bag containing a loaded semi-automatic pistol while struggling with officers.
He said the teenager didn’t stop reaching for the bag until a third officer shocked him with a “stun” from his Taser, leaving him in severe pain.
“What interests me is a 16-year-old young man running around with a gun,” continued Mr Vittorio, misrepresenting his age.
The boy’s mother said she did not know her son owned or carried a gun and that the boy had not had any previous encounters with police.
Ms Natour said: ‘When I watched the video, my stomach tightened.
“I feel so helpless, looking at my son, seeing three oversized men who just hit me.”
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The sheriff said the department is conducting an internal investigation into the arrest and it intends to prosecute the teen.
Mr. Vittorio said that none of the three officers involved had been suspended or removed from duty, although two of the officers did not return to work after being injured during the arrest.
The protesters are calling for the department to fire three officers.
