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Chicago couple battered by teen rioters say 'they were going to kill us' as state senator offers 'insulting' response

Illinois state senator Robert Peters threw his support behind the mob, calling the so-called protests a 'political act and statement'

CHICAGO, ILLINOIS: A couple violently targeted in the so-called 'Teen Takeover' riots across the city have claimed their attackers were "trying to kill us." Meanwhile, a state senator sparked outrage by defending the rowdy mobs for protesting "poverty and segregation."

Ashley, 20, and DJ, 22, were seen in viral social media footage being swarmed by teen rioters after they stepped out Saturday evening, April 14. The young couple said the attack on them was unprovoked and "completely random." However, state senator Robert Peters threw his support behind the mob the following day, saying he would "look at the behavior of young people as a political act and statement" and that it was a "mass protest against poverty and segregation."

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'They were going to kill us'

The disturbing scenes over the weekend came after a frenzied mob of teenagers wreaked havoc in downtown Chicago, leading to at least two shootings and over a dozen arrests. Speaking to Fox News, Ashley and DJ recalled finding themselves in the midst of the violent crowd and said their attackers warned them "they were going to kill us." The embattled couple said they were surrounded by the rioters after an evening out shopping, moments before "everything went crazy" and Ashley was shoved to the ground. Her partner confronted the attackers but they were quickly overrun as the teen agitators stole their shoes, phones, a pair of sunglasses, an Apple Watch, and a hat. "I have a black eye," DJ said, adding, "My face is messed up. Shoulder is pretty f***** up too, it's out of place. My back is sore."

The attack was just one of many reported incidents as droves of rioters descended on the Windy City over the weekend. Harrowing footage from the evening of chaos on Saturday showed teenagers jumping on a bus while another group sparked a mass brawl near Millenium Park. Gunshots were heard across the city as two teenagers aged 16 and 17 were shot in the melee. At least 15 people were arrested following the mayhem, which also saw numerous vehicles torched and destroyed on the streets.

'It’s a mass protest against poverty and segregation'

Despite the jaw-dropping violence across Chicago, state Senator Peters brushed off the destruction simply as a "political act" and a "mass protest against poverty and segregation." He tweeted, "Since I’m a glutton for punishment and I’m sure I’m gonna get the most unhinged, crime weirdo replies but: I would look at the behavior of young people as a political act and statement. It’s a mass protest against poverty and segregation." Anticipating the pushback his post would generate, Peters added, "Rest in peace to my mentions."

The politician's portrayal of events was a far cry from the young couple's account of what happened. DJ described the teen rioters as "young and dumb" who were "trying to prove a point for nothing." As expected, Peters was excoriated online for his tone-deaf stance, with some even calling for him to resign.

"Your attempt at gaslighting citizens is beyond insulting. The way I see it, you are A-Okay with what happened to this woman on Friday," said former congressional candidate Jack Lombardi II. "And for that, you must resign."

"The unaffected and ineffective people are the ones who always condone, defend, and justify insolent behavior. When it affects them directly, that's when they cry out for justice. #clownworld #ChicagoRiots #Chicago," former congressional candidate Randy Purham added.

"You’re an embarrassment! I taught hundreds of poor and impoverished students and they did not do this! Poverty is not a damn excuse for bad & criminal behavior. YOU ARE THE PROBLEM!" another Twitter user wrote.

"What a huge disservice you do to these young people. Without higher expectations, they will more and more hurt themselves and others," someone else chimed in.

This article contains remarks made on the Internet by individual people and organizations. MEAWW cannot confirm them independently and does not support claims or opinions being made online.