A Markham mom is suing two south suburban police departments, claiming a SWAT crew officer shot her 12-year-old son within the kneecap throughout a raid at her dwelling earlier this 12 months.
“This case represents a textbook example of why officers should not aim their guns at children,” mentioned Al Hofeld Jr., the mom’s lawyer, throughout a information convention at his downtown places of work Thursday.
The case, filed in Cook County Circuit Court, is the seventh this 12 months wherein Hofeld has claimed kids have been traumatized by law enforcement officials’ extreme pressure.
The most up-to-date case occurred within the early-morning hours of May 26 on the dwelling of Crystal Worship. Officers from the Country Club Hills and Richton Park police departments burst into Worship’s dwelling, in search of her boyfriend, Hofeld mentioned. The boyfriend was arrested for unlawful drug possession, though the costs have been later dropped, Hofeld mentioned.
During the raid, officers handcuffed Worship’s 13-year-old son and one officer pointed an automated rifle at her 12-year-old son, Amir, based on the swimsuit. Amir was sitting on his mattress together with his arms within the air when he was shot, the swimsuit states.
“Assuming this was not an intentional act, there is still no possible professional reason or excuse for what this officer did,” Hofeld mentioned.
Amir, who preferred to play soccer and basketball, won’t ever be capable of play sports activities once more, docs have instructed his household.
Representatives from the Country Club Hills and Richton Park police departments couldn’t instantly be reached for remark.