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Charges dropped against Oak Lawn officer in violent arrest of Bridgeview teen

By Fox 32 Digital Team
Published  December 18, 2024 2:39pm CST
Crime and Public Safety
FOX 32 Chicago

The Brief

    • Charges against Oak Lawn police officer Patrick O’Donnell, including aggravated battery and official misconduct, were dropped due to insufficient evidence to meet the burden of proof, according to the Cook County State's Attorney's Office.
    • O’Donnell's 2022 arrest of 17-year-old Hadi Abuatelah, captured on video, showed the officer punching the teen multiple times in the head and sparked public outrage and protests.
    • Abuatelah, who was hospitalized with serious injuries, was later charged with illegal gun possession after officers found a loaded gun in his bag following the incident.

OAK LAWN, Ill. - The charges against an Oak Lawn police officer who was accused of violently arresting a 17-year-old boy in 2022 have been dropped.

The Cook County State's Attorney's Office said Wednesday the evidence was "insufficient to meet the burden of proof beyond a reasonable doubt to move forward with the prosecution of the case."

The state's attorney asked the court to dismiss the case, and a judge granted the request.

Patrick O’Donnell was charged with aggravated battery and official misconduct in connection with the arrest of Hadi Abuatelah in July 2022. 

The arrest was captured on video and appeared to show O’Donnell punching the teen more than 10 times in the head with a closed fist, and at times holding him by the head and his hair. Meanwhile, another police officer knelt on Abuatelah’s legs.

Police said the teen initially fled after a traffic stop and that he was reaching for his bag. Officers later discovered a loaded gun in the bag. Abuatelah was later charged with illegally possessing a gun days after the incident.

Abuatelah spent six days in a hospital for fractures to his face, skull and pelvis, and swelling of his brain.

The arrest, which was captured on video and went viral on social media, sparked outrage and protests.

The Source

  • The information in this story was provided by the Cook County State's Attorney's Office. 

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