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Student charged with assaulting Chicago medic

The student is among dozens of defendants in paramedic assault cases being charged now as felonies

ABC7

CHICAGO — The ABC7 I-Team has learned that another Chicago Fire Department paramedic has been attacked by someone she was trying to help. This latest case resulted in felony charges filed Monday against a DePaul University student.

This is happening at least once a week in Chicago — paramedics jumped and pummeled — in some cases, by people whose lives they are trying to save. Shortly after an I-Team investigation last month uncovered the growing threat to paramedics, authorities say a DePaul student attacked a female paramedic.

On Monday, fire union officials were at the young man’s court appearance to press for felony charges against him, and the I-Team was there. “I want everyone to know around the entire country to keep your hands off of our paramedics, our fire fighters and our police officers because they are there to help you. They are called to assist you, not to be your personal punching bag,” said Tom Ryan, president, Firefighters Local #2.

Full story: DePaul student Erik Kawar charged with assaulting paramedic