West Cook News

Andrew Stroth, managing partner at Action Injury Law Group in Chicago, is representing the family of a freshman student who was beaten on film on April 27 by sophomore Heavyn Washington at Lyons Township High School (LTHS) South campus.

Stroth spoke about the issue with "Chicago’s Morning Answer" radio program.

“Where we are today is we are just asking for a full investigation by the Western Springs Police,” Stroth told the radio program. “The police department did contact me, their attorney, but just a few days ago was the first time the family -- the father and the young lady -- were interviewed. We were surprised that the family was not made aware of the criminal charges prior to them hitting the media, especially social media. And we just want to find out the truth. And it's our perspective that the administration was aware.”

This type of incident at a school is a parent's worst nightmare, according to Stroth. He is concerned about how the school was not able to protect students including his client, from Heavyn Washington, a 16-year-old sophomore who has been charged in the attack. He urged LTHS to review their policies and make sure that this will not happen again.

“The young lady, Miss Washington, (who) attacked my client, had a history or has a history, based on our knowledge, of bullying," Stroth told "Chicago's Morning Answer." "They're the parents. And the young lady gave school officials notice that this other woman was threatening her. It was captured on video prior. And then if you watch the video of what happened, the video speaks for itself. And I represent victims of civil rights cases all over the country. And I actually went to LT... I'm an alum of LT, and I know Western Springs. And you just don't think of these types of events and brutal attacks happening on a campus like LT, which quite honestly, is one of the top high schools in the state. But the administration is responsible. The administration was on notice. And we just want to make sure that the young lady that I represent is safe and protected and accommodated by the school and those that cause those actions are held accountable.” 

Stroth's client, in the meantime, will be studying remotely because she is not comfortable going back to school.

"She suffered a concussion from the incident," Stroth told the radio program. "She suffered a sprained wrist from the incident. She had her hair pulled out. And then I think even beyond the significant physical injuries is the trauma. Imagine a 14-year-old freshman girl, without cause or provocation, brutally attacked -- not outside the school, not in the neighborhood, but at the high school. And what's so disturbing about the video is you can tell it was a premeditated attack. And then the other young person (who) recorded the video, to me is also responsible. So disappointed that the charges are not higher. But I do know that Western Springs is ongoing with the investigation. I do know the principal adults and the leadership is very concerned about this incident. But my perspective is, how do we stop this from ever happening again? And it should have never happened in the first place.” 

Lyons Township students told West Cook News that Heavyn, an outspoken sophomore, “concocted a story that the victim was singing a rap song in the bathroom so she could have a reason to beat her up.”

In the video of the attack, Washington approaches the smaller victim unprovoked and repeatedly punches her in the face before grabbing her hair and dragging her across the floor. "Beat her ass, racist ass bitch, yes!" the student yelled. "Beat her ass, Heavyn, beat her ass,” the accomplice yelled as he filmed the beating, according to Rumble.

Another student who filmed the premeditated attack took to social media after being arrested for disorderly conduct. A 14-year-old Countryside teen was arrested on Tuesday for filming and cheering on the attack. He is calling the “disorderly conduct” charge by Western Springs Police “ridiculous," according to West Cook News.

He said he received a “17-day suspension and more” and called for Heavyn Washington, the 16-year-old sophomore charged with battery in the attack, to “get the justice she deserves.” According to a Snapchat post obtained by West Cook News, the student wrote: “I need justice for Heavyn. LTHS has never once done anything for any other fight that has occurred at school, but once when Heavyn beats someone up… they start doing something, just for me screaming in the video.” 

A second attack occurred at the school on Monday afternoon. The police could not confirm if the attack was retaliation, as rumored.

"We haven't confirmed one way or the other," Western Springs Police Chief Brian Budds told West Cook News.