Jury reaches $5.7 million verdict in 2018 Back of the Yards Chicago police raid excessive force case against children case
Share this @internewscast.com

A jury has awarded $5.7 million in a verdict concerning allegations of excessive force during a 2018 Chicago police raid in the Back of the Yards neighborhood. The case centered around the treatment of children by the police.

This is an update to a developing story. Below is information from an earlier report.

After three weeks of deliberations, the jury has been tasked with determining if SWAT officers used excessive force against the Tate children during the execution of a search warrant nearly eight years ago. The jury is also considering whether the city of Chicago perpetuated such behavior by not holding its officers accountable.

The trial began on February 3, and since then, jurors have listened to testimonies from nearly all individuals present in the Back of the Yards apartment on August 9, 2018. On that day, the Chicago Police Department’s SWAT team executed a search warrant at the Tate family residence, looking for a suspect who was neither residing there nor connected to the family.

ABC7 Chicago is now streaming 24/7. Click here to watch

During closing arguments on Tuesday, Al Hofeld, representing the Tate family, stated, “This case is about young children in their own home with their family, doing nothing wrong, with guns pointed at them in a military operation by police in their own city.”

Hofeld argued that nine officers forcibly entered the Tate home without warning, aiming firearms at four young children and causing trauma to them, their mother, and grandmother. He emphasized that this incident is a continuation of the pattern identified by the U.S. Justice Department in 2017, which cited the Chicago Police Department for a “pattern or practice of using force, including deadly force, that is unreasonable, in violation of the Fourth Amendment.” He attributed these actions to the city’s failure to adequately train and hold its officers accountable.

But while the Justice Department’s findings are not in dispute, this particular case is not clear-cut. There is no footage from body-worn cameras, as they were not required at the time. Counsel for the officers and the city dispute most of what the Tate family alleges, from the way in which SWAT team members entered the home to the officers’ behavior during the execution of the warrant.

“Not a single one of them pointed a rifle at any of the plaintiffs… Not a single of them unlawfully detained the plaintiffs,” said Lawrence Kowalczyk, the officers’ attorney, adding the officers had years of training in use of force and that, “Those men are the best of the best.”

That is something, the officers’ attorney said, was on full display during what was the execution of what was a dual warrant: One for the Tate’s apartment and one next door, which is ultimately where SWAT team members located their target.

The jury is expected to deliberate until 5 p.m. Tuesday and return Wednesday, when it is expected they will return a verdict.

Copyright © 2026 WLS-TV. All Rights Reserved.

Share this @internewscast.com
You May Also Like
Shocking report exposes terrifying reality of assisted suicide in Canada

Revealing Report Uncovers the Complex Reality of Assisted Suicide in Canada

A startling new report uncovers that individuals in Canada are experiencing assisted…
Spanish software engineer accidentally hijacks control of 7K robot vacuums worldwide -- due to frightening security glitch

Global Robot Vacuum Takeover: Spanish Engineer Uncovers Shocking Security Flaw in 7,000 Devices

A Spanish software engineer accidentally took control of around 7,000 robot vacuums…
Repeat offender kills 2 deputies days after $50K bond despite long violent record: police

Outrage Erupts as Repeat Offender Murders Two Deputies After Release on $50K Bond

A violent repeat offender with a notorious record for shooting at law…
$900M taken from solar panel program and pumped into Dem. voting activism, CAL DOGE claims

Controversial $900M Diversion from Solar Panel Initiative to Democratic Voting Activism Sparks Debate, Says CAL DOGE

CAL DOGE has made a bold claim that close to $1 billion…
Gavin Newsom claims Trump wanted Ivanka to date Tom Brady: memoir

Inside the Pages: Gavin Newsom Reveals Trump’s Matchmaking Dreams for Ivanka and Tom Brady

In an intriguing anecdote from California Governor Gavin Newsom’s newly released memoir,…
Stowaway Svetlana Dali arrested again after sneaking onto Newark-to-Milan flight: sources

Svetlana Dali Detained Once More After Boarding Newark-to-Milan Flight Undetected: Sources Report

Svetlana Dali, who previously gained notoriety for boarding a flight to Paris…
Alleged criminal history of missing mom found after 24 years catches up with her

Alleged Criminal Past Resurfaces for Missing Mother Discovered After 24 Years

The mystery of a North Carolina woman who disappeared in 2001 has…
Nancy Guthrie neighbors' Ring camera captures vehicles on possible route from crime scene

Shocking Discovery: Neighbor’s Ring Camera Reveals Crucial Clue in Local Crime Investigation

EXCLUSIVE: TUCSON, Ariz. — A surveillance camera owned by residents in the…
CIA makes social media push to recruit Iranians as Trump threatens military action

CIA Launches Social Media Campaign to Attract Iranian Recruits Amid Rising Tensions

WASHINGTON — In an effort to reach out to Iranians, the U.S.…
Caltech astrophysicist Carl Grillmair's accused killer stalked property before fatal shooting

Tragic Shooting of Caltech Astrophysicist: Suspect Allegedly Surveyed Scene Before Attack

In a tragic incident, a man accused of murdering a distinguished astrophysicist…
Pakistan bombs Taliban targets in Afghan cities, minister calls it 'open war'

Pakistan Launches Strikes on Taliban Positions in Afghan Cities, Minister Declares ‘Open War

Pakistan launched airstrikes on Taliban government positions in key Afghan cities overnight,…
Atlanta-area police blast parents over vodka martini packed in school lunch: 'That is NOT apple juice'

Atlanta Police Criticize Parents for Packing Vodka Martini in School Lunch, Mistaken for Apple Juice

MAHA eyes SNAP, school lunch restrictions for junk food Agriculture Secretary Brooke…