Crime
Mother Corshawnda Hatter with sickle cell jumped by kids while protecting her children
CHICAGO — A growing number of parents and community members are calling for accountability after a disturbing video circulated widely on social media showing a mother and her children being violently attacked by students near Orville Bright Elementary School on Chicago’s Far South Side.
The incident occurred Monday afternoon and has sparked outrage throughout the South Deering neighborhood.
On Tuesday morning, dozens of parents gathered outside the school, demanding consequences for those involved, including potential expulsions.
Many expressed frustration, saying the violence was alarming but not unexpected based on prior concerns about student behavior.
According to Chicago police, the attack took place shortly after 3 p.m. in the 10600 block of South Bensley Avenue.
Investigators say the victims — 33-year-old Chicago mother Carshawnda Hatter and her children — were walking home when a group of juveniles approached and began striking them multiple times.
Both Hatter and her 9-year-old son were transported to Trinity Hospital in serious condition.
A video of the attack — now viewed millions of times — shows Hatter walking alongside her two children while a large group of students follows closely behind, shouting.
Moments later, several students surround the family, and at least two individuals can be seen punching both the mother and her son. The situation quickly escalates as Hatter is forced to the ground during the assault.
“They were literally waiting along the route we walk home just to jump us,” Hatter told supporters and media gathered outside the school. “I told my kids to walk on the other side of the street so we wouldn’t get jumped. They followed us the whole way… They hit my son first, and then they dragged me into the grass.”
Hatter attended a meeting with school administrators on Tuesday morning to address the attack. She was escorted into the building by police officers as supporters demanded answers from school officials.
She said her son has experienced bullying previously and hopes this incident finally brings change.
“I’m trying to get justice for my son,” she said — a statement met with vocal support from the crowd.
Parents at the scene said this attack represents a pattern of escalating behavior among some students.
“This has been happening in this community, and nothing gets done,” one parent said. “Some of these kids terrorize other families — and their parents refuse to take responsibility. If my child was behaving like this, I would address it immediately.”
Chicago police say the motive behind the attack remains under investigation. As of Tuesday afternoon, no arrests had been made.
The Chicago Public Schools district has not yet issued an official statement regarding disciplinary actions or safety measures moving forward.
The investigation is ongoing.
Crime
16-year-old Khyon Smith-Tate found shot to death inside Chipotle bathroom on edge of Temple University’s campus in North Philadelphia
PHILADELPHIA — A 16-year-old boy was fatally shot inside the bathroom of a Chipotle restaurant near Temple University’s campus in North Philadelphia on Monday afternoon, police said, as students and staff returned for the first day of the Spring 2026 semester.
The shooting occurred at approximately 5:00 p.m. inside the Chipotle located in the 1100 block of West Montgomery Avenue, on the ground floor of The View at Montgomery apartment complex. The building is situated near Temple University’s Student Center and TECH Center.
Police later identified the victim as Khyon Smith-Tate, a North Philadelphia resident. Philadelphia Police Chief Inspector Scott Small said Smith-Tate was found with a gunshot wound to the chest and was pronounced dead at 5:24 p.m.
Temple University President John Fry and Vice President for Public Safety and Chief of Police Jennifer Griffin issued a joint statement following the incident:
“The loss of life to gun violence is a profound tragedy, and there are no words that can make sense of it. Our thoughts are with the victim’s family and loved ones.”
According to investigators, Smith-Tate and another minor entered the restaurant and requested access to the restroom. Chief Inspector Small said the shooting is believed to have occurred inside the bathroom.
Moments later, employees discovered Smith-Tate suffering from a gunshot wound. Police recovered one spent shell casing from a semiautomatic weapon inside the restroom.
Although the victim’s last known address was approximately eight blocks from the scene, authorities have not indicated what brought him to the location or what led to the shooting.
At the time of the incident, the restaurant was crowded, and multiple individuals inside the business were detained briefly for questioning. However, police said they have not yet obtained any statements from witnesses who reported hearing a gunshot.
A person of interest was taken into custody several blocks from the scene shortly after the shooting, but Chief Inspector Small said that individual’s involvement remains unclear.
As of Tuesday, police confirmed that no arrests have been made and no motive has been established.
Investigators believe Smith-Tate entered the restroom with another minor, though the whereabouts of that individual remain unknown.
Police are also seeking information about three possible suspects, described as teenagers carrying backpacks.
Chief Inspector Small noted that the area is equipped with numerous surveillance cameras, which detectives are reviewing as part of the ongoing investigation.
Authorities are asking anyone with information related to the incident to contact the Philadelphia Police Department.