3 Chicago teens charged with attacking black classmate, putting noose around his neck

(CBS) CHICAGO - Police say three white teenagers were charged with a hate crime after they attacked an African-American teen and put a noose around his neck because of his relationship with a white girl, reports the Chicago Tribune.

All three perpetrators and the victim attend Brother Rice High School.

According to CBS Chicago, the 17-year-old victim told police that during the attack, which occurred on Dec. 23 at the home of one of the assailants, the teens twice put a noose around his neck, threatened him with a knife, used the N-word and refused to let him leave. The victim eventually did escape.

Matthew Herrmann, 18, was charged as an adult with a hate crime, unlawful restraint and misdemeanor battery, while two other boys, ages 16 and 17 are facing the same charges in juvenile court. The 16-year-old was also charged with aggravated assault for pulling a knife.

The Tribune reports that police say the attack apparently stemmed from a developing relationship between the victim and a cousin of the 16-year-old.

"In this day and age if those kids are using those types of words, what's going on in their household?," the victim's father, William Merritt, Jr., told the Tribune.