CHICAGO 芒鈧�� The Latest on the beating of a white man in Chicago that was broadcast live on Facebook (all times local):
9:20 a.m.
Chicago police say authorities are considering whether an attack on a white man that was broadcast live on Facebook falls under hate crimes statutes.
Chicago Police Department spokesman Anthony Guglielmi said Thursday morning that the four black suspects made "terrible racist statements" during the assault but that police believe the victim was targeted because he has "special needs," not because of his race.
Still, Guglielmi says investigators are looking at whether the assault falls under hate-crime laws.
Guglielmi says charges are expected later Thursday. He says the four suspects are all adults.
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7:45 a.m.
Chicago police say they don't believe a man beaten in an assault broadcast live on Facebook was targeted because he was white.
Police spokesman Anthony Guglielmi said Thursday morning that charges are expected soon against four black suspects. Guglielmi says the suspects made "terrible racist statements" during the attack, but that investigators believe the victim was targeted because he has special needs, not because of his race.
Guglielmi says it's possible the suspects were trying to extort something from the victim's family.
Video from Chicago media outlets appears to show someone off-camera using profanities about "white people" and President-elect Donald Trump. Chicago Police Superintendent Eddie Johnson said Wednesday that the victim has mental health challenges, and he called the video "sickening."
Guglielmi said police are working with prosecutors "to build the strongest case."
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6 a.m.
Chicago police say charges are expected against four people who police say beat a man in an assault that was broadcast live on Facebook.
The victim is a suburban resident who Police Superintendent Eddie Johnson says has "mental health challenges."
Johnson called the attack and the video "sickening" at a news conference Wednesday. Johnson questioned why individuals would treat someone so harshly.
Police Cmdr. Kevin Duffin said Wednesday that he anticipated charges within 24 hours.
While police officials did not confirm the races of the suspects or victim, video from Chicago media outlets appeared to show someone off-camera using profanities about "white people" and President-elect Donald Trump.
Police say it's too soon to determine whether the attack was racially motivated.
Police haven't identified the individuals in custody, but say three are Chicago residents and one is from suburban Carpentersville.
The Associated Press
