Video has emerged of a security guard at a Chicago area high school basketball game dragging a 15-year-old girl down a set of bleachers.
According to Fox 32, which had to blur the video for its graphic nature, a male security guard in south suburban Dolton dragged 15-year-old Toshiya Statam down the bleachers during a game at Thornridge High School.
Statam said it all started over a hoodie, which security had asked her to take off.
"I said, ‘what do I got to leave for?’" said Statam, a freshman at Thornridge High School. "That's when they all came up to the top of the bleacher. He was in my face screaming and we were going back and forth."
The school issued the following statement to Fox 32:
"During the incident, a student who was attending a basketball game at Thornridge High School in Dolton allegedly spat in the face of a security guard when he attempted to escort her from the gymnasium. In response to this unacceptable behavior, the security guard reacted inappropriately, deviating from his training. The safety and well-being of students is our utmost priority, and any actions that compromise their welfare will not be tolerated.
Prudential Security has taken swift action by dismissing the security guard from his position effective immediately. We deeply regret any distress or harm caused to those affected by this unfortunate event.
Thornton Township High School District 205 would like to assure parents/guardians, students, faculty, staff, and community stakeholders that we take incidents such as these very seriously. The incident at Thornridge High School is not reflective of the values and principles we uphold within our educational community."
There is no video showing Statam spitting in the security guard's face. Statam was sent to the hospital where she had to have several CT scans, but no major injuries were reported. Statam showed where the guard gripped her by the braids, tearing three of them from her head and leaving a bald spot.
"I want him arrested," said Tosha Statam, Toshiya's mother. "What made you think it was acceptable to put your hands and feet on my child. Not one time, but several times."
Statam has been suspended for 10 days. Her mother says she made a police report with Dolton PD and is hoping charges will be filed against the male security guard.
