WARNING: Embedded videos contain graphic language and may be disturbing to watch.
A 50-year-old man who was beaten on video as witnesses shouted “you voted Trump” shared his story on Friday, as police continue to search for his attackers.
David Wilcox said the incident began as a minor fender-bender in the 1100 block of South Kedzie Avenue in Chicago’s Homan Square neighborhood, just before 1 p.m. on Wednesday. He said a woman in a black sedan sideswiped him, but when he got out to approach her, "all hell broke loose."
"I came out very courteously and nicely," Wilcox said. "She was the first to throw a punch and I wasn't expecting that."
Then, Wilcox said another woman and three men got out of the car and attacked him as well.
“The next thing I knew, I was getting hit from both sides,” he said. “They made a coordinated attack on both sides and started hitting me.”
According to Wilcox, no one stepped in to help, and instead about 20 people at the busy intersection incited his assailants.
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"I heard a lady yell something about ‘that guy is a Trump supporter,’ and I turned to her and said, ‘This is between me and her, it has nothing to do with you,'" Wilcox said.
Bystanders continued to chant things like "you voted Trump" and "don't vote Trump," he added.
Footage of the attack posted online Wednesday night showed a group of men, possibly teens, throwing a man to the ground and repeatedly punching and beating him.
“When they yelled about Trump, it got really violent,” Wilcox said. Then, one of the offenders hopped in the driver’s seat of his car and took off, as seen in a longer version of the video also shared to social media, dragging Wilcox several blocks from the scene.
“He was swerving, trying to get me to get off,” Wilcox said, adding that the car was going between 70 and 80 mph. “I knew if I let go, then I was dead. I squeezed as hard as I could.”
The moment the driver slowed down, Wilcox dropped, uncontrollably rolling, but alive. He was then taken to Mount Sinai hospital for treatment.
“I have all kinds of lumps back here,” Wilcox said. “My body is badly hurting.”
“To me, they were cowards. One-on-one is a different story,” he added. “I’m not a violent person. I’m 50, I don't try to get into confrontations with people.”
No one was in custody as of Friday evening, but Area North Detectives continue to investigate, searching for those involved. Anyone with information on the attack is being asked to call (312) 744-8263. [[400704971, C]]
