An Illinois police officer is under investigation after a Facebook Live video showed him ignoring a woman's pleas for help while a man harassed her for wearing a Puerto Rico shirt. The incident occurred on 10 July 2018 at Caldwell Woods, a Cook County Forest Preserve.
Mia Irizarry, who had paid for a permit to hold a birthday party, was approached by Timothy Trybus, who was reportedly drunk. In the video, Trybus repeatedly yells at Irizarry, asking 'Why is she wearing that s**t?' and questioning her citizenship. Irizarry, wearing a shirt resembling the Puerto Rico flag, responds that she is an American citizen and is not trying to change anyone.
Throughout the encounter, a Cook County Forest Preserve officer stands in the background without intervening, despite Irizarry's repeated requests for assistance. She tells the officer, 'I feel highly uncomfortable, can you please grab him, please?' but the officer does not move closer.
It is only when Irizarry's brother approaches Trybus that the officer speaks, telling the brother to 'relax'. More officers then arrive, and a female officer sits Trybus down and threatens to charge him. Trybus was later arrested and charged with assault and disorderly conduct.
The Forest Preserves confirmed the investigation into the first officer's conduct. Irizarry stated in the video that the officer 'did absolutely nothing' despite her repeated requests for help.
