A mother and her 9-year-old son have been relocated to a new home following an attack earlier this week near a Southeast Side school that has gained attention from City Hall.

The 33-year-old woman and her son were walking in the 10600 block of South Bensley Avenue in the South Deering neighborhood about 3:10 p.m. Monday when a group approached and struck them multiple times, according to Chicago police. Following the attack, which took place about two blocks northwest of Orville T. Bright Elementary School, the woman and boy were transported to Advocate Trinity Hospital, where they were initially listed in serious condition, police said.

Woman, child hospitalized after attack near South Deering school

Videos of the attack have circulated widely on social media, stirring fear among Bright parents and getting the attention of Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson.

Johnson said he was “deeply disturbed to see the video of young people attacking a mother and her child,” in a statement he posted on social media Tuesday. The next day, Johnson’s spokesperson, Cassio Mendoza, confirmed that the mayor’s office relocated her family to a different location and that their team was also looking into transferring the son to a new school.

Chicago Public Schools have also responded to the incident. In a statement to the Tribune, they said the district “prioritizes the safety and well-being of our students, staff, and families, and we are committed to building a physically and emotionally safe teaching and learning environment in every school.”

The Chicago Teachers Union also stated that they believe this is an opportunity for the city to provide the resources that students need.

“We are looking at this as an opportunity for CPS to do what’s necessary to make sure that schools are fully staffed, there are wraparound services and support for our students,” Zeidre Foster said on behalf of the union. “We believe that goes a long way for prevention.”

Parents concerned after attack: ‘My son was terrified’

At pickup Wednesday afternoon, the blocks surrounding Bright School on the Southeast Side were quiet. The few sounds were those of Safe Passage guards stationed at each corner exchanging low chatter with other guards or community members, and police cars that rolled through the neighborhood at intervals.

Parents such as Shanee Battle are still grappling with the aftermath of Monday’s attack.

Battle, who has a 6-year-old at Bright Elementary, walked her son home — him on his scooter, her close behind. She said her son has attended the school since kindergarten, but after the attack off campus, she is considering other options.

“It’s just too much,” Battle said. “My son was terrified.”

Other parents and community members declined to speak on the record, citing unease.

One mother who asked not to be named said she believes community support should be consistent year-round — not only when tragedy strikes.

Curtis Bivens, a member of Operation Peace Inc., agrees, which is why their organization intervenes with the city’s youth when necessary. Bivens and other members of Operation Peace stood at the steps of Bright School on Wednesday afternoon to show community support.

“It was a terrible thing that happened,” Bivens said. “But even more importantly, we have to learn how to respond. Our response dictates the behavior that the children have.”

Another member of Operation Peace, Sammie Young, echoed Bivens’ sentiments.

“It’s very concerning,” Young said. “It takes a lot of nerve for kids to fight an adult.”

As of now, additional resources have been deployed to the area to maintain public safety, according to Johnson, who added that community-based organizations such as Operation Peace have been activated to help ensure families and students have safe passage to school.

“I am calling for calm as we conduct a full investigation and ensure there is accountability for the attackers and healing for the victims,” Johnson stated.

Chicago police did not respond to questions about the investigation, which remained ongoing as of Wednesday.

Chicago Tribune’s Alice Yin contributed.

 

https://www.chicagotribune.com/2025/11/19/mom-son-relocated-after-attack-near-south-deering-school/