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
Deadly wake-up call: Alleged frat hazing electrocution highlights student dangers in off-campus homes

Electrocution Incident in Alleged Frat Hazing Raises Concerns Over Off-Campus Student Safety

The tragic incident involving a New Jersey college student, reportedly electrocuted in…
Evanston ICE news today: Federal agents detain 2 after allegedly causing crash at Asbury and Oakton, witnesses say

Federal Agents Detain Two Following Alleged Crash Incident at Asbury and Oakton in Evanston, Witnesses Report

In Evanston, Illinois, reports from ABC7 indicate that federal agents resorted to…
Illinois State teaching assistant toppled TPUSA table

TPUSA Activist Arrested for Ignoring FBI Warnings on Violent Trump Threats: Affidavit Reveals Alarming Social Media Posts

This article is part of Fox News Digital’s investigative series, “Campus Radicals,”…
Haven't gotten a Facebook settlement check? Here's what to do

Haven’t Received Your Facebook Settlement Check? Here’s What Steps to Take

(NEXSTAR) – If you feel like you’ve missed out on the payouts…
Execution set for twisted killer who taunted police with message in victim's blood: 'Catch me if u can'

Condemned Killer Stephen Bryant Selects Firing Squad for Execution After Confessing to Brutal Crime

A South Carolina death row inmate, Stephen Bryant, has chosen to be…
Dad knifed on way to Halloween fest, kids save him from 'demonic stare' maniac with dino sticker, charger cord

Father Attacked En Route to Halloween Event, Children Rescue Him from Assailant Using Dinosaur Sticker and Charger Cord

A father from California is hailing his young children as heroes after…
Heidi Klum, the 'Queen of Halloween,' reveals 2025 costume

Unveiled: Heidi Klum’s Jaw-Dropping 2025 Halloween Costume Steals the Spotlight

Heidi Klum’s annual Halloween party in New York City has become a…
Jim McGreevey is back on the ballot, 21 years after scandal led him to resign as New Jersey governor

Jim McGreevey Returns: Former NJ Governor Reenters Political Arena 21 Years Post-Scandal

JERSEY CITY, N.J. — After stepping down from his role as New…
Mississippi Delta bust: 2 sheriffs, 12 police officers arrested, charged in drug trafficking bribery scheme

Breaking: Massive Drug Trafficking Bust in Mississippi Delta Involves 2 Sheriffs, 12 Officers

In a significant development on Thursday, federal authorities revealed indictments against 20…
Trump demands Senate scrap filibuster rule to end shutdown

Trump Urges Senate to Abolish Filibuster Rule in Bold Move to Resolve Government Shutdown

President Trump is urging the Senate to adopt a “nuclear” approach by…
FBI Director Patel says multiple people were arrested in Michigan in a Halloween weekend attack plot

FBI Thwarts Halloween Attack Plot in Michigan: Multiple Arrests Made, Confirms Director Patel

In an unexpected development on Friday morning, Michigan authorities apprehended several individuals…
CCSO: Orange Park teen arrested for threatening shooting on first day of school

Middleburg Incident: 11-Year-Old Suffers Injuries in E-Scooter Collision with School Bus

An unfortunate accident unfolded in a Middleburg neighborhood on Friday morning when…