West Cook News

The Western Springs Police Department has delayed a FOIA request from West Cook News seeking police reports for the brutal attack of a freshman at Lyons Township High School South campus by sophomore Heavyn Washington. 

Sue Depner, administrative services coordinator for the Western Springs Police Department, sent an email regarding the deferral. 

“Under Section 3 of the FOIA, a public body has five (5) business days to respond to an FOIA request. However, the public body may extend the initial five (5) business day response time: by up to five (5) additional business days for a limited number of reasons. 5 ILCS 140/3le). We • are extending the time to respond to your FOIA Request by an additional five (5) business days (ten (10) business days) in total for a response,” Depner said in the emailed response to a May 5 FOIA request sent by West Cook News.

The Western Springs Police is facing criticism for moving slowly on the investigation after Washington was arrested five days after the filmed attack occurred. She has been charged with Class A misdemeanor battery. The victim’s father, who is a police officer, said police did not interview him in the wake of the incident.

The victim’s family hired attorney Andrew Stroth to represent them in the case.

“Where we are today is we are just asking for a full investigation by the Western Springs Police,” Stroth said on AM560’s Chicago’s Morning Answer radio program nearly two weeks after the attack took place. “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.”

Washington and her 14-year-old countryside accomplice allegedly planned the beating to be caught on camera. The accomplice's footage of the attack is playing on his phone as Washington approaches the smaller victim unsolicited and strikes her in the face many times before seizing her hair and dragging her across the floor. 

"Beat her ass, racist ass bitch, yes!" the accomplice yelled. "Beat her ass Heavyn, beat her ass ho,” the accomplice yelled as he filmed the beating.

The student who filmed the attack took to social media after being arrested for disorderly conduct. He said he got a “17 day suspension and more!” and for Washington, who has been charged with battery in the attack, to “get the justice she deserves.” “I need justice for heavyn. LTHS has never once done anything for any other fight that has occured at school but once when heavyn beats someone up… they start doing something, just for me screaming in the video,” the post said.