Crime
36-year-old Emerald Pretty killed in Englewood shooting
CHICAGO, IL — A man was found shot to death Friday night on Chicago’s South Side, prompting a homicide investigation by Area One detectives, according to the Chicago Police Department.
Officers responded to reports of gunfire in the 900 block of West 63rd Parkway in the Englewood neighborhood at approximately 10:00 p.m.
Upon arrival, officers discovered a 36-year-old male victim suffering from gunshot wounds to the head and neck.
Emergency medical personnel were called to the scene, but the victim was pronounced dead on arrival.
The Cook County Medical Examiner’s Office later identified him as Emerald Pretty, age 36.
According to preliminary information, a male suspect exited a white sedan, approached the victim, and opened fire before fleeing the scene in the same vehicle.
No arrests have been made at this time, and Area One detectives are actively investigating the circumstances surrounding the shooting.
Authorities have not released details on a possible motive or whether the incident may have been targeted.
Police are urging anyone with information to contact the Chicago Police Department’s Area One Bureau of Detectives or submit an anonymous tip through CPD’s tip line or Crime Stoppers.
Crime
Texas Teachers Britney Henshaw and Sydney Madill Caught on Video Injuring 5-Year-Old Autistic Boy
BRAZORIA COUNTY, Texas — Two elementary school teachers have been terminated after surveillance footage surfaced showing them physically assaulting a 5-year-old nonverbal autistic student at Wild Peach Elementary School in Columbia-Brazoria Independent School District.
The educators, identified as Britney Henshaw and Sydney Madill, were captured on camera during two separate incidents on October 30.
According to school officials, both have since been fired, but the child’s mother, Guadalupe Rodriguez, says termination is not enough — she is demanding full criminal accountability.
Surveillance video from the classroom reportedly shows one teacher violently slamming the boy to the floor.
Less than an hour earlier, another clip appears to show the same teacher dropping him.
A separate video later in the day shows a different teacher kicking the child’s injured ankle while attempting to force him to walk, despite visible signs of pain.
Rodriguez described the experience of watching the footage as “devastating,” saying her son’s disability made the abuse even more disturbing.
“This is trauma that my son and I will carry forever,” Rodriguez said. “I dropped to my knees and cried. I never expected to see my son treated that way.”
She noticed something was wrong when her son returned home limping that afternoon. Concerned, she immediately took him to urgent care, where doctors diagnosed him with a fractured and sprained ankle.
Rodriguez returned to the school the next day demanding answers. When the principal allowed her to review surveillance footage, she discovered multiple incidents showing her son being mistreated and ignored.
“My son was showing signs of distress, and not one teacher stopped to check on him,” she said. “Nobody cared.”
In a letter to parents, Wild Peach Elementary’s principal confirmed that the incident had been reported to both the Texas Education Agency and the Columbia-Brazoria ISD Police Department, which has referred the case to the Brazoria County District Attorney’s Office for review.
Although both teachers have been terminated, Rodriguez says that isn’t enough.
“Part of me is relieved, but I’m not satisfied,” she said. “They’re still walking free.”
Her son has not returned to Wild Peach Elementary since the incident, and Rodriguez says she is now consulting with attorneys to explore legal action.
The Brazoria County District Attorney’s Office has not yet confirmed whether criminal charges will be filed.