Five people have been charged in connection with a weekend fight inside a Normal apartment that was streamed live on Facebook, showing a partially nude 17-year-old girl.
The incident happened late Saturday at an apartment in the 200 block of Parkinson Street. Authorities say Betty Vo, 21, who lived in the apartment, was fighting with the 17-year-old throughout the evening. A portion of the fight was captured in a 10-minute video that was shared live on Facebook, authorities said.
During their fight, the 17-year-old’s dress came up over her hips, exposing her to the camera, authorities said. That video was widely shared on social media overnight Saturday and well into Sunday.
Michael Burton, 25, of Bloomington allegedly shot the video, said Normal Assistant Police Chief Erik Klingele. Burton was charged Thursday with unlawful video recording in a residence, a Class 4 felony, and publishing obscenity, a misdemeanor.
Vo was charged with misdemeanor battery. Both appeared in McLean County court Thursday.
Also arrested in the case was Samuel Gentry, 20, who was charged Monday with unlawful use of a weapon and felony possession of a weapon, a Class 2 felony, as well as misdemeanor assault charges. Police said they heard a single gunshot as they approached the apartment early Sunday.
Two others were also arrested. An 18-year-old from Normal was charged Monday with misdemeanor battery and consumption of alcohol by a minor related to the case. And a 19-year-old from Bloomington was charged Thursday with illegal consumption of alcohol by a minor.
The charges all stem from the Parkinson Street incident as well as a separate party at a residence in the nearby 300 block of Dewey Street, said Klingele. Normal Police Chief Rick Bleichner said previously that there did not appear to be any serious injuries to anyone in the video.
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