Police Investigate Alleged Racial Attack At River Forest Jewel

RIVER FOREST, IL—A man is in police custody following an attack that occurred at Jewel Foods, which is located at 7525 W. Lake St. According to police, the incident took place around 10 a.m. Wednesday.

River Forest police said two customers, a man and the other a woman, began arguing, which started inside the store and carried over into the store parking lot where the altercation became physical.

"I was attacked at Jewel Osco in Oak Park, IL while I was trying to purchase Starbucks. This man called me a black bitch, and said I couldn’t speak English. Then he proceeds to say this is why black people are dying," the woman, who goes by the name Daj. X on Twitter, said.

While no video has been released at this time showing the man making those comments, video posted to the woman's Twitter account shows her following him to his car as she recorded video of him. She's heard repeatedly asking him, "Do you have anything to say for yourself?" In the same video, the man pauses and then is seen knocking the phone from her hands.

"Don't f*cking touch me. You don't f*cking put your hands on my," the woman is heard shouting in the video.

The police department was on scene moments after receiving multiple 911 calls and has been actively working the case since then. Investigators and prosecutors said they are reviewing videos posted to social media, cell phone videos, store videos, and street camera videos, as well as interviewing all witnesses, including the woman. As part of the process, all police interview, incident, and evidence reports will be thoroughly reviewed by the assistant state’s attorney assigned to the case.

While the man seen in the video has been taken into custody, police have not formally released his identity or what charges he faces. Shortly after the incident, River Forest police issued the following statement:

We have no tolerance for hate in River Forest. Additionally, we support any and all efforts by investigators and prosecutors to hold those who engage in criminal activity that is motivated by hate fully accountable.

Village President Catherine Adduci also reacted to news of the attack at River Forest Jewel with the following statement:

Any incident connected with hate is wrong. I can tell you we have no tolerance for such an incident in River Forest. This case is under review and I will comment further when charges are brought.

I am pleased that River Forest Police Department investigators have given this incident the attention it deserves. Further, I am encouraged that River Forest Police Department reached out to the Cook County State’s Attorney’s Office Felony Review Unit so this incident can be fully investigated and the appropriate charges applied.

Additionally, we support any and all efforts by investigators and prosecutors to hold those who engage in criminal activity that is motivated by hate fully accountable.

We will take proactive steps to discuss the values of River Forest and how community and liveability are important to all of us. And how we can live together without biases and hatred. That is our everyday obligation to the River Forest community. Otherwise without this ongoing conversation, we’re not a community at all.

The River Forest Police Department plans to provide an update on the case after the Cook County State’s Attorney’s Office completes its review and recommends appropriate charges.