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
Dolly Parton embarks on new venture for truckers and road trippers

Dolly Parton Launches Exciting New Initiative for Truckers and Road Trippers: A Game-Changer in Travel

Country music icon Dolly Parton is set to infuse her signature Southern…
Luigi Mangione battles to block key evidence a year after CEO assassination — experts say it’s a long shot

Luigi Mangione Fights to Exclude Crucial Evidence in CEO Murder Case—Experts Doubt Success

Luigi Mangione 911 call played in court A courtroom in Manhattan recently…
Ex-Minneapolis officer Derek Chauvin, convicted of George Floyd murder, files for new trial

Derek Chauvin Seeks New Trial: Unpacking the Latest Twist in the George Floyd Case

Derek Chauvin, the former Minneapolis police officer famously convicted of second-degree murder…
MyPillow CEO Mike Lindell Files Paperwork for Potential Minnesota Governor Run to Unseat Tim Walz

MyPillow CEO Mike Lindell Eyes Minnesota Governorship: Challenges Tim Walz in 2024 Bid

Mike Lindell, the CEO of MyPillow, is contemplating a campaign for Minnesota’s…
Lawmakers hear from Adm. Frank "Mitch" Bradley, the Navy admiral who reportedly ordered attack that killed boat strike survivors

Controversial Navy Attack: Lawmakers Grill Adm. Frank ‘Mitch’ Bradley on Fatal Boat Strike Decision

WASHINGTON — A high-ranking Navy admiral, accused of commanding the U.S. military…
WATCH: Three Florida teenagers arrested in viral ‘door kick challenge’ targeting homeowners

Caught on Camera: Florida Teens Arrested for Viral ‘Door Kick Challenge’ Prank on Homeowners

Florida teens arrested for viral ‘door kick challenge’ In a digital era…
Decomposed body found in Connecticut after standoff with man who opened fire at police

Shocking Standoff in Connecticut: Decomposed Body Discovered After Gunman Opens Fire on Police

Authorities revealed that a heavily decomposed body and several explosive devices were…
Obamacare subsidies granted without documentation to 90% of fake accounts set up by government watchdog

Government Watchdog Uncovers 90% of Fake Accounts Receiving Obamacare Subsidies Without Documentation

A recent report by a government watchdog has revealed that a staggering…
Brian Walshe murder trial: Slain wife Ana's lover takes the stand

Explosive Testimony: Ana Walshe’s Lover Reveals Shocking Details in High-Profile Murder Trial

Ana Walshe’s romantic entanglement with William Fastow took center stage during Brian…
Musk Maps Out MAGA’s Next 12 Years: Trump’s Return, Vance’s Rise

Elon Musk Predicts the Future of MAGA: Trump’s Comeback and J.D. Vance’s Ascension Over the Next 12 Years

Last month, Elon Musk delivered a virtual address at a private event…
Massive 14-foot shark dies after being stranded on Massachusetts beach during migration

14-Foot Shark Found Deceased After Stranding on Massachusetts Beach During Migration

A 14-foot thresher shark met a tragic end on Tuesday when it…
Trump plans to weaken vehicle mileage rules that limit air pollution

Trump Proposes Rollback of Vehicle Mileage Standards to Ease Air Pollution Regulations

WASHINGTON — President Donald Trump has unveiled a plan to relax vehicle…