A family, recently awarded a significant settlement in connection with a wrongful Chicago Police raid, speaks out.
On Wednesday, the Chicago City Council approved a $2.5 million settlement of the Mendez family’s civil rights lawsuit.
In 2017, Chicago police raided the wrong McKinley Park apartment, the Mendez family’s apartment, and executed a "no knock" search warrant.
The family claims police broke through three doors and pointed an assault rifle and handgun at 5 and 9-year-old Jack and Peter Mendez and parents Hester and Gilbert.
Gilbert Mendez would end up handcuffed face-down on the floor.
Both Mendez children later reported suffering from PTSD following the raid.
Peter, now 17, Gilbert, and their attorneys answered questions Friday regarding the family’s eight-year quest for justice and their settlement.
"It takes a toll on a body, I don't care how long, how old you are, it takes a toll some way some how, it doesn't go away right away," said Gilbert Mendez.
Change has been made since the 2017 wrongful raid.
The "Peter Mendez Act" was signed into law in 2019, requiring, among other things, Illinois police officers to receive training on how children experience trauma.
"The thing I feel about change is that it's a good thing," Peter Mendez said, "I guess it gives me peace of mind knowing that there is change going on, stuff is willing to change so it doesn't happen to other kids or families."
The CPD has also revised their search warrant policy multiple times to mandate rigorous investigations and to add provisions encouraging officers to avoid handcuffing, questioning or pointing firearms at children.
"I'm blessed to say that this whole entire thing, I can finally end this chapter of my life," Peter added.