2 men charged after Chicago police officers attacked during fight at funeral service
CHICAGO (CBS) -- Prosecutors said at least three men punched and kicked several Chicago Police officers after a fight broke out at a funeral on the city's West Side this past weekend.
Three police officers ended up in the hospital. Two men have now been charged.
The funeral service was held Saturday at Mount Zion Missionary Baptist Church, located in the 4300 block of West Madison in West Garfield Park. Chicago Police were assigned to the service and traffic detail around the church.
Around 12:30 p.m., police were called to the scene for an apparent fight that broke out inside the church. Emergency dispatchers reported that some of the responding officers got attacked by funeralgoers.
The scene appeared to spiral out of control as officers became overwhelmed. Officers on the scene took three individuals involved in the clash into custody and were then urged to leave the church immediately.
Demarco Hunter, 25, was charged with aggravated battery. Michael Fitzgerald, 37, is also facing aggravated battery charges along with charges of resisting and obstructing an officer.
Prosecutors said Hunter kicked an officer in the head while the officer was already lying on the ground. Hunter's family said he was there for his cousin's funeral, and they are upset that officers even entered the service in the first place.
Prosecutors said Fitzgerald punched an officer, bringing him to the ground. Prosecutors say body camera video then shows Hunter kicking the officer in the head.
The kick was so violent that the officer needed five staples in his head to close the wound.
A video posted on Facebook appeared to show an officer bleeding from his head. It is unclear if that officer was that victim prosecutors said Hunter attacked.
Prosecutors said there was also a third still unknown offender in a blue jumpsuit who is seen on video punching at least one officer.
Hunter's attorney argued that this was a case "arising out of chaos." and that there were multiple aggressors who instigated the violence.
Hunter has a previous criminal history, but no convictions for battery at this point. He has previously gotten probation, court supervision, and conditional discharge on cases including the unlawful use of a weapon in the past.
A judge ordered that Hunter be detained until his next hearing.
"He walked out to go see a funeral," said Hunter's mother, Jessica Farrow.
Hunter's mother said the family upset officers entered the church in the first place, and said social media videos will play a key role in the case.
"Of course it's an emotional moment. It's emotional," Farrow said. "You're burying a child. You're burying your family. You're burying a friend."
Hunter was not armed. He will be back in court Nov. 4.
Prosecutors said the officer who was kicked in the head continues to suffer from head and neck trauma.
