While the four suspects are charged with a hate crime, Chicago Police said Thursday they do not believe the victim was targeted because of his race, but that race did play a role in the attack. Police told WFLD-TV they became aware of the video Wednesday afternoon and the incident occurred Tuesday. The four suspects remain in custody and are expected to appear in court Friday.
The most serious charge, aggravated kidnapping, carries a potential prison sentence of 30 years, with a minimum sentence of six years.
They are all also charged with hate crime, a charge police hesitated on committing to Wednesday night. The Cook County State’s Attorney’s Office said they are charged with aggravated kidnapping, aggravated unlawful restraint, aggravated battery with a deadly weapon and residential burglary. Hill is from Carpentersville, Illinois, while Cooper and the Covingtons, who are sisters, are form Chicago. Clockwise from top left: Brittany Covington, Tanishia Covington, Tesfaye Cooper and Jordan Hill.
