Chatham community outraged after employee attacked inside restaurant | Video

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Thursday, September 11, 2025
Chicago residents outraged after restaurant employee attacked

CHICAGO (WLS) -- The Chatham community is coming together, months after teens stormed a Fatburger location and beat up an employee.

The owner says several teenagers came into her business, busted through the doors and jumped one of her employees. ABC7 Chicago blurred the video because no one has been charged. The attack was last December, but the owner said she finally has the courage to speak out against this.

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A month after the incident, the owner says a different group of teens jumped over the counter and went after a different employee. At one point in the video, someone pulls out a gun and tells the group to leave.

On Wednesday, the owner was joined by community activists and local politicians to say enough is enough. The owner has been pouring into her community for decades, and her supporters say they won't allow her hard work or her employees to be attacked and disrespected.

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"All of my employees, they ran. They were so fearful. It was just so heartbreaking watching all the surveillance camera. They're running for their lives," Fatburger owner Jackie Jackson said. "I didn't want anybody to retaliate. I didn't want to bring any attention to the store. It was just something that I suffered with for the last nine months."

"Enough is enough. We're going to stand behind this. I mean, there was a time back in the day where this type of stuff wouldn't happen because we protected our own interests within. Right? We wouldn't tear up what we have in our communities," community activist Early Walker said. "Right? Which is why these type of establishments are scared to come into communities these days. Right? And so, I would just say, I mean, honestly, it's going to take us to save us."

Chicago police said no one is in custody at this time, and Area Two detectives are investigating.

To support the business, this Friday the first 100 customers will get free meals at 10:30 a.m. It's sponsored by Walker.

The goal is to bring as much foot traffic as possible to support the Black business.

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