Chicago police officer charged with shoving teenager at school pleads not guilty
CHICAGO (CBS) -- A Chicago police officer was in court on Thursday to be arraigned for shoving and threatening a teenage boy at a South Side elementary school.
Officer Craig Lancaster was charged with aggravated battery against the teen. He pleaded not guilty during the arraignment.
Surveillance video taken six months ago showed the moment Lancaster hit 14-year-old Jaquwaun Williams in the throat before allegedly threatening to beat him further.
Lancaster could be seen talking to a Gresham Elementary teacher outside the school before JaQuwaun approached, and after Lancaster shoved the teen, sending him sprawling backward, the teacher could be seen standing between the two and directing JaQuwaun over to a group of students standing along the wall of the school.
The officer could then be seen walking away as JaQuwaun and other students walked into the school.
Lancaster has since been relieved of his police powers, and the Civilian Office of Police Accountability, or COPA, is investigating.
