Carlishia Hood, a Chicago mother initially charged with murder after her 14-year-old son shot a man who assaulted her, has filed a lawsuit against the city. The charges were dropped after video evidence surfaced showing the man repeatedly punching Hood in the head. The lawsuit, filed in Cook County Circuit Court, alleges malicious prosecution, false arrest, and intentional infliction of emotional distress.

Hood expressed her disbelief at the situation, stating that she never imagined being attacked, beaten, and then arrested. She had been held on a $3 million bail after being charged with first-degree murder and contributing to the delinquency of a minor.

The incident unfolded at a South Side fast-food restaurant on June 18th. Cellphone video shows 32-year-old Jeremy Brown verbally abusing and physically assaulting Hood. After being punched multiple times, Hood texted her son, who was outside, to come inside.

Upon entering, the teenager shot Brown in the back. As Brown fled, Hood and her son followed. Prosecutors initially claimed Hood encouraged her son to continue shooting, but the emergence of the video showing the preceding assault led to the charges being dropped. The Cook County State's Attorney's Office stated they could no longer meet their burden of proof.

Brown died at the scene. Hood, a legal firearm owner with a concealed-carry permit, and her son subsequently turned themselves in to the police. The incident has sparked public debate about self-defense and the role of video evidence in legal proceedings.