Chicago Public Schools custodian Elton Odell, Jr. says teacher assistant attacked him at John M. Smyth School on Near West Side
Share this @internewscast.com

CHICAGO (WLS) — A Chicago school custodian reported being assaulted while on duty at a West Side elementary school, with surveillance footage seemingly capturing the incident.

Now, he’s calling for more action to be taken by Chicago Public Schools.

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

He explained that the confrontation began unexpectedly when an argument with a teacher assistant at John M. Smyth Elementary School over wet floors escalated into violence.

He showed ABC7 video of the apparent attack that he said the school allowed him to record.

“Wow, this really happening?” alleged assault victim Elton Odell, Jr. “You know, like, he done actually hit me?”

After four months of employment, Odell did not anticipate leaving his position at John M. Smyth Elementary School with 15 stitches in his lip as a custodian.

“Regardless of any argument or verbal exchange, no one has the right to physically attack you,” Odell stated firmly. “It’s as straightforward as that.”

The confrontation happened while Odell was nearing the end of his shift Monday evening around 5:45 p.m.

A recorded video, which Odell claims he was authorized to film by school officials, shows him mopping when tensions rise as another individual steps onto the wet surface. ABC7 concealed the man’s identity since no charges have been made.

“The safety concern is real; someone could slip and tumble down the stairs,” Odell remarked. “The other person made some dismissive comments and attempted an apology, but I refused. I told him, ‘Man, that’s completely disrespectful.'”

The teacher assistant is then seen coming up the stairs, removing his backpack. Then, the confrontation ensues.

He’s telling me, ‘Don’t walk up on me,’ which apparently, you can see in the video, I never moved towards him,” Odell said. “So, I proceed to turn to my left to walk away and that’s when I was struck twice… I wanted to protect myself because he invaded my space, but I knew it would’ve been the wrong thing to do, that I would lose my job.”

He said the video showed it all unfolding in front of another teacher assistant and a young child.

After reporting the alleged attack to police, Odell says he went to the hospital with injuries to his lip, but it’s the mental scars left behind that he says will be hard to heal from.

“It makes me very upset about that,” Odell said. “I relive it each day now.”

There’s no word on the status of that teacher assistant at the school.

A Chicago Public Schools spokesperson said they are looking into the incident while ABC7 awaits a response.

Chicago police said they’re investigating and no one is in custody.

Copyright © 2025 WLS-TV. All Rights Reserved.

Share this @internewscast.com
You May Also Like
50 kidnapped Catholic school students in Nigeria escape as some schools ordered to close

Nigerian Students Escape Captivity: 50 Catholic Schoolchildren Free as Security Concerns Prompt School Closures

Following a brazen kidnapping at a Nigerian Catholic school, 50 out of…
California man presumed dead after wave sweeps him away at same beach where girl, father died days earlier

Tragedy Strikes Again: California Man Disappeared by Rogue Wave at Infamous Beach

A tragic incident unfolded at a California beach on Saturday, as a…
Chicago Loop stabbing: 6 in custody after homeless man stabbed to death outside Wabash Street restaurant, officials say

Police Detain Six After Fatal Stabbing of Homeless Man Near Chicago’s Wabash Street Restaurant

In a tragic incident early Sunday morning, a man experiencing homelessness was…
Fatally stabbed dad of 4 was visiting Brooklyn NYCHA complex where he grew up: ex

Father of Four Tragically Stabbed During Visit to Childhood Brooklyn NYCHA Complex

A father of four from Brooklyn was tragically killed during a visit…
Virginia high school football coach goes missing during team's undefeated season

Unraveling the Mystery: Virginia High School Coach Disappears Amidst Unbeaten Streak

Travis Turner, the head coach of Union High School’s football team in…
Georgia Lineman Nyier Daniels Arrested for Cruelty to Children, Reckless Driving

Georgia Lineman Nyier Daniels Detained on Charges of Child Cruelty and Reckless Driving

Georgia’s offensive lineman, Nyier Daniels, finds himself embroiled in legal troubles following…
Noah Clowney's ill-advised mistake comes as he's emerging as Nets fixture

Noah Clowney Makes a Misstep Amidst Rise as Key Nets Player

Noah Clowney has emerged as a standout player this season, offering a…
Anna Kepner dies mysteriously during family vacation on Carnival cruise ship: Timeline of events

Family Seeks Answers in Tragic Cruise Ship Incident Involving Cheerleader

The tragic and mysterious death of Florida cheerleader Anna Kepner aboard a…
Cops swarm Epstein records vault after ‘cover-up’ claims, online protest chatter light up the web: report

Police Investigate Epstein Records Vault Amid Cover-Up Allegations and Online Protests

Legal panel discusses next steps in Epstein case Shannon Bream led a…
It Would Be Nice If the Democrat Elites Would Stop Undermining the Republic

Democratic Leadership Must Cease Actions That Undermine the Republic’s Stability

“Well Doctor, what have we got, a republic or a monarchy?” is…
Deck the Chairs returns to Jacksonville Beach for the 2025 season

Jacksonville Beach Welcomes Back the 2025 Deck the Chairs Holiday Spectacle

Starting November 26, Jacksonville Beach will once again be transformed into a…
Long Island ‘porch pirate’ ring busted

Crackdown on Long Island: Notorious ‘Porch Pirate’ Ring Dismantled in Major Bust

The individual accused of orchestrating a “porch pirate” operation, along with 13…