A Chicago police officer is recovering after he was brutally attacked Tuesday by two suspects—one wearing brass knuckles—who were blocking an ambulance, according to family members.
The assault happened Tuesday when Officer Kevin Mangan responded to a call concerning people blocking an ambulance at the scene of an unrelated incident in the McKinley Park neighborhood, WBBM-TV reports. As Managan was writing a ticket, a woman began pounding on his cruiser, and a man allegedly wearing brass knuckles started punching the officer, Denise McBroom, Mangan's aunt, told the Tribune.
"All it takes is one punch. I mean, you could kill somebody," she said. "He's lucky that he's alive."
Mangan was repeatedly struck by the suspect. The attack severely damaged his mouth.
"He had missing teeth, and they were embedded in the roof of his mouth," said McBroom, who added that Mangan will be unable to chew solid food for months while he recovers.
According to McBroom, the suspects, who were not connected with the ambulance call, attacked Mangan because he was a law enforcement officer. During the incident, The suspect wearing brass knuckles said how much he enjoys assaulting police officers.
The suspects were apprehended, and charges are pending. Carol Mangan, Kevin's mother, told the Tribune she hopes the charges against the accused attackers reflect the severity of the assault.
"To me, this is attempted murder, and I hope that that's what he gets charged with," she said.
The incident is under investigation.
