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
Charlie Kirk’s widow Erika Kirk demands speedy trial, alleging 'undue delay' from Tyler Robinson defense

Erika Kirk, Widow of Charlie Kirk, Calls for Expedited Trial Amid Claims of ‘Undue Delay’ in Tyler Robinson’s Defense

Erika Kirk is pushing for a swift trial, responding to what she…
Indiana completes undefeated season and wins first national title, beating Miami 27-21 in CFP final

Indiana Secures Historic Victory, Clinches First National Title with a 27-21 Triumph Over Miami in Undefeated Season Finale

The Indiana Hoosiers clinched the national title with a thrilling 27-21 victory…
Man stabbed, officer assaulted as fight breaks out after MLK Day parade in Los Angeles

Chaos Erupts After LA MLK Day Parade: Stabbing and Officer Assault Rock the Community

During a Los Angeles parade celebrating Martin Luther King Jr., tensions escalated…
Exclusive — Nashville Hall of Famer Jeffrey Steele Explains How He Defied Music Industry Gatekeepers to Deliver His Latest Hit ‘A Voice’

Exclusive: Nashville Hall of Famer Jeffrey Steele Shares Insights on Bypassing Music Industry Barriers to Release His Latest Hit ‘A Voice

Nashville’s celebrated Hall of Fame singer-songwriter, Jeffrey Steele, recently shared his artistic…
Minnesota police chiefs allege some ICE agents racially profiled US citizens, including off-duty officers

Alarming Claims: Minnesota Police Chiefs Accuse ICE of Racial Profiling US Citizens and Off-Duty Officers

A coalition of police chiefs from Minnesota expressed concerns on Tuesday regarding…
Kiara Jenkins killed in Woodlawn, Chicago shooting near 64th and Drexel while heading to Mt. Bethlehem Missionary Baptist Church

Tragic Shooting Claims Life of Kiara Jenkins Near Mt. Bethlehem Missionary Baptist Church in Woodlawn, Chicago

The Woodlawn community is mourning the tragic loss of a cherished church…
Trial for Chicago man Juan Espinoza-Martinez accused of putting hit on Border Patrol Chief Gregory Bovino begins

Chicago Resident Juan Espinoza-Martinez Faces Trial for Alleged Plot Against Border Patrol Chief Gregory Bovino

CHICAGO (WLS) — The courtroom drama unfolds as the trial of a…
Minneapolis software engineers mistaken for ICE agents while eating lunch harassed by anti-ICE crowd

Minneapolis Software Engineers Mistakenly Targeted by Anti-ICE Protesters During Lunch Break

A group of software developers found themselves under verbal attack after being…
US Marshals nab fugitive hiding under child's bed: officials

US Marshals Capture Fugitive Concealed Beneath Child’s Bed: A Shocking Discovery Unveiled

The United States Marshals Service successfully apprehended a fugitive in Washington state…
College football championship: In Miami-Indiana football game, Hoosiers hope to lean again on its offensive line

Miami-Indiana Showdown: Hoosiers Aim to Leverage Strong Offensive Line for College Football Championship Victory

MIAMI — In a stunning 38-3 victory over Alabama at the Rose…
Florida triple murder of 3 tourists was 'senseless,' 'random,' sheriff says

Florida Man with Criminal History Accused of Killing Three Tourists Near Magic Kingdom

A Florida man, Ahmad Jihad Bojeh, aged 29, is at the center…
Trump confirms he invited Putin to join his Board of Peace: 'He's been invited'

Trump Extends Invitation to Putin for Board of Peace Role: A Strategic Move for Global Diplomacy

In a move that could reshape international diplomacy, U.S. President Donald Trump…