Crime & Safety
Fender Bender, Not Trump Support, Sparked Beating in Video, Victim Says
"God was watching over for me," said David Wilcox, who was beaten and then dragged along the street as his car was being stolen.
CHICAGO, IL — A traffic incident incited the violence seen in a viral video showing a man being beaten by a group of people on the West Side and not his support of Presidential-elect Donald Trump, the victim told the Chicago Tribune.
A video posted online Wednesday night shows David Wilcox, 49, being pulled from his Pontiac Bonneville and repeatedly punched and kicked while onlookers yelled "Don't vote Trump" and "You voted Trump."
But Wilcox — who did vote for Trump but says his attackers would not have known that — said the altercation started when he was sideswiped by a black sedan at about 1 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 9, at Kedzie Avenue and Roosevelt Road, the Tribune reports. Pulling over, Wilcox asked the people in the other car for insurance and then was attacked, the report added.
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As the beating continued, bystanders didn't try to help Wilcox. Instead, they shouted anti-Trump remarks, and Wilcox believes they were encouraging the violence.
"They intensified it, aggravated it and made it more than it was," he told the Tribune.
Find out what's happening in West Sidefor free with the latest updates from Patch.
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In an extended version of the video, one of the attackers is shown getting into the Bonneville, and Wilcox attempts to pull him out while being hit by two other men. The man behind the wheel then drives off, dragging Wilcox as he clings to the door frame.
Wilcox told the Tribune the Bonneville reached speeds of up to 70 mph to 80 mph. He said the driver also tried to shake off Wilcox by trying to open the door and swerving, which lifted the tires about 2 inches off the ground, according to the report.
"I was looking at oncoming traffic," Wilcox told the Tribune. "He probably slowed to about 45. God was watching over for me. I rolled about five or seven times into the oncoming traffic lanes."
A parole officer carrying a gun and wearing a bulletproof vest helped Wilcox after he was thrown from the car, the report stated.
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During a press conference Friday, Wilcox showed the injuries he sustained, which included multiple cuts and bruises along his arm, head and other parts of his body.
Police continue to investigate the attack, but no arrests have been made, and Wilcox's car has not be recovered. Anyone with information about the incident should call 312-744-8263.
WARNING: The extended video has the song "F--k Donald Trump" playing over it.
David Wilcox is beaten by unidentified attackers Wednesday, Nov. 9. (image via screenshot of video)
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