Parents Claim They Can't See Son Who Was Shot By Alsip Police

ALSIP, IL -- The parents of a man shot last week by Alsip police say they haven’t been able to see their son or get any information about his medical condition. Jamal Campbell, 25, of Chicago, was charged in absentia with attempted murder and two counts of aggravated battery with a motor vehicle during a bond hearing on Oct. 5, where a judge ordered him to be held without bond.

Alsip police were investigating a report of drag racing in a residential area in the early morning hours of Oct. 3. Officers spotted a Cadillac Escalade believed to be involved in the race idling in a parking lot of an apartment complex parking lot on 115th Street just over the Alsip-Chicago border. The driver of the vehicle, identified as Campbell, was shot by an Alsip police officer. Police said that Campbell disobeyed officers' orders, drove his vehicle at an officer, and hit two squad cars. (SUBSCRIBE: Get Real-Time Alerts and a Daily Newsletter for Alsip-Crestwood.)

Campbell was taken to Advocate Christ Medical Center in Oak Lawn with two gunshot wounds, and was placed under police guard. His parents aren’t even sure where their son was wounded. Campbell’s parents also maintain that their son did not have legal representation during his absentia bond hearing.

>>> Cop Who Shot 'Drag Racer' Claims He Couldn't Get Out Of Way

His mother Cheryl Taylor said she signed a consent form for her son to undergo surgery for reconstruction of her son’s jaw and jawline, which was shattered by bullet fragments.

“We were told he was shot in the shoulder,” Taylor said. “I signed his HIPAA order and got power of attorney. We tried to speak to the oral surgeon but she mentioned she wasn’t allowed to speak with us.”

Campbell’s parents would not speak about the specifics about the shooting or the charges against their son. George Campbell, Jamal’s father, said he’s talked to the passenger in his son’s car, who has not been charged. Campbell calls the shot to his son's face a "kill shot." His main concern right now is his son’s treatment in the hospital.

“We haven’t gotten any information from the hospital,” Campbell said. “We spoke to him the other day. They’re not treating him well. They’re not letting him bathe. He’s in a lot of pain due to surgery on his face and reconstruction of his jaw. They’re only giving him ibuprofen.”

The parents were also ordered out of the ER waiting room by the medical center’s security guards while waiting to see their son the morning he was shot.

“I was literally there to meet someone from the hospital to set up financing a medical card,” Taylor said. “A security officer asked me why I was there, when I told him about the medical card. Then another guard cam over said I had no right to be in the waiting room. He would have been better off if he pulled me to the side instead of in front of everybody.”

Campbell’s parents have since hired Chicago attorney Michael Oppenheimer, who is currently representing clients or their families in other officer-involved shootings. Cook County Jail records indicate that Campbell was moved to Cermak Hospital.

A spokeswoman for Christ Medical Center issued the following statement: "As always, we act in accordance with patient privacy laws. As is customary across health systems, when patients are under police custody, we’d defer questions to the appropriate law enforcement agency."

Alsip Police Chief Jay Miller has requested an an independent review by the Illinois State Police. The two officers involved in the shooting have been placed on administrative leave pending the results of the investigation. The Chicago Police Department is also investigating the shooting because it happened in CPD’s jurisdiction.

Campbell is due back in court Tuesday at the Leighton Criminal Court Building at 26th and California. It’s not known if his condition will allow Campbell to appear in court, but he will have legal representation.

~ This story has been updated with new information.

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