VIDEO: Guard Allegedly Pushes Dunbar Student Down Stairs
CHICAGO (CBS) -- An employee at a public high school in the Bronzeville neighborhood has been taken off the job after being recorded on cell phone video pushing a girl down a set of stairs.
In cell phone video online, the employee is seen pushing a girl down a flight of steps at Dunbar Career Academy High School, then later knocking her down again after she got up. Students tell CBS 2 the girl is a sophomore and the incident occurred Tuesday.
The video identifies the worker as a security guard, but Chicago Public Schools officials have not yet identified the employee, or said whether he works for the district or for a private security firm.
CPS officials said they are investigating along with police, and the employee has been suspended.
"The safety of our students is our top priority. CPS takes matters of employee misconduct very seriously, especially when it involves an employee whose job it is to ensure the safety of students. Once CPS was made aware of this incident, immediate action was taken to remove this individual from his position while the investigation continues," CPS spokeswoman Becky Carroll said in an email.
In the video, the employee is seen shoving a female student down the stairs, and then the girl is seen lying on the floor at the bottom of the steps.
A woman who appears to be a teacher or other staffer at the school approaches the girl to try to help her. After the girl gets up, the man appears to knock her down again, either with a shove or a punch.
The student's family has retained an attorney.
"The video and the egregious actions of the CPS employee speak for themselves. The family has retained Attorney Mark Sutter and the law firm of Sutter and Ori to pursue all available avenues at this point while they investigate what may be an ongoing pattern of conduct at Dunbar Vocational Career Academy," a statement sent to CBS 2 said.
