An Illinois teen suffered beating at McDonald’s after attackers targeted her sexual orientation
The attack on Kady Grass, occurred in Carpentersville, Illinois, where suspects physically assaulted her, causing serious injuries. Police have charged the perpetrators, considering hate crime enhancements.
A 19-year-old female in Carpentersville, Illinois was viciously assaulted at a local McDonald's when two males began verbally harassing her using hateful slurs related to her sexual orientation. Before she knew it, the individuals grew violent and attacked her physically, inflicting serious injuries such as a broken nose and bruising.
The incident took place on May 13, as the victim, Kady Grass, was first met by the group of young men who verbally harassed her regarding being a lesbian. After Kady tried to ignore the men, their antagonism turned into violence and the assault occurred, witnessed by employees, customers, and the recording device from the store.
Illinois teen got assaulted at McDonald's for her sexual orientation
A 19-year-old woman was physically assaulted and verbally abused with insulting words at a McDonald's outlet in Carpentersville, Illinois, the local police department reported. Two young men, one of them a juvenile, have been charged in connection with the incident.
The attack took place on May 13, when officers were dispatched to a reported altercation at the McDonald's, which is about an hour outside of Chicago. When police responded, they were informed that what happened was an aggravated battery of a female victim. The altercation supposedly began when the two male suspects verbally taunted the victim because of her sexual orientation as they walked by her.
The 19-year-old victim Kady Grass, in an ABC News interview, replied that she was having dinner at the restaurant with her 13-year-old cousin when she got up to use the bathroom. Finding both the stalls occupied, she exited and was immediately bullied by one of three young men using the derogatory term. Grass tried to ignore them and warned her cousin to do so.
Kady Grass' assault in Illinois. Photo: CBS News
One of the teens, the teenage suspect in the case, then assaulted Grass again, calling for a fight outside. Grass complied, but no one followed. After returning inside, the cousin warned her that the teens threatened to kill her and said they possessed a gun. Police later confirmed the threat was baseless.
The second suspect, 19-year-old John Kammrad, taunted Grass by saying that she was not tough because she was a woman. Grass replied that she was a lesbian. Kammrad stepped towards her, whereupon Grass pushed him back. The attack turned into a physical fight as soon as it began, with one of the attackers punching Grass on the front and the other striking her from behind. A McDonald's manager attempted to step in, but was punched as well.
As she was attacked, Grass fell to the ground and shielded her eyes to protect herself. The two assailants stepped on her head and knocked her unconscious. She had a broken nose, bruising, and handprint marks on her shoulders. She told ABC News that the attackers tried to kill her.
Grass was taken to a hospital in a hurry, where she was attended to and subsequently discharged. She believes the attack was an instance of gay-bashing and was amazed at the level of violence she experienced simply because of her sexual orientation.
The Carpentersville Police Department has filed multiple felony charges against the suspects, the most serious of which is aggravated battery causing physical harm. The juvenile surrendered themselves to police on May 16, and Kammrad was arrested on May 17.
Police reaffirmed the need to combat violence and bigotry in the community and reiterated their commitment to public safety and respect for all people.
Kammrad faces two counts of aggravated battery and mob action and disturbance of peace charges. He was in custody at Kane County Jail but has now been released to another agency. The office of the state's attorney is considering charging Kammrad as a hate crime, with Grass's endorsement.
Additionally, police informed Grass that two females who used the restroom with the boys during the attack would be charged with misdemeanors for stealing Grass's wallet, phone, and her cousin's phone.
Grass condemned the attack, stating that regardless of whatever belief anyone has regarding the LGBTQ community, no one has any justification to resort to violence or bullying.
Kammrad's court hearing dates are on May 22 and June 27. Court documents show he has been assigned a public defender, but the attorney's name has not been disclosed.
