A disturbing viral video has captured a group of school-aged children attacking a mother and her 9-year-old son in Chicago’s South Side, prompting outrage from parents and community members demanding accountability.
According to WGN, the incident occurred on Nov. 17. 2025, as 33-year-old Carshawnda Hatter walked her children home from Orville Bright Elementary School.
The footage, which has been viewed millions of times on social media, shows a large group of students wearing backpacks following Hatter and her children, taunting them and calling them names.
The harassment quickly escalated into violence. Multiple students surrounded Hatter and her son, hitting and tackling them to the ground. Both sustained serious injuries and were hospitalized.
“They were literally waiting along the way we walk home, just to jump all of us,” Hatter told reporters at a rally outside Orville Elementary. “We kept walking. They followed us all the way there, and they still fought us.”
Hatter has reported ongoing bullying of her son to school administrators and is now calling for justice. Parents and residents say the attack reflects a broader issue in the community of children engaging in violent behavior with little parental accountability.
“It’s been an ongoing thing in this community, and the parents don’t take accountability for anything their kids do,” one parent said.
Illinois State Senator Willie Preston, present at the rally, condemned the attack and backed calls for action. “The video was horrible, disgusting, and a symptom of something that’s been going on for a long time,” Preston said. “We haven’t held these kids accountable. We haven’t held these parents accountable for the violent actions that their children are doing.”
Police have not made any arrests and have not released details on the ages or motives of the attackers. The incident continues to raise concern among Chicago residents about safety and accountability in local schools.
