PHILADELPHIA, Nov. 14 (UPI) — An officer, his wife and four other people were hurt in a sudden mob-style attack in Philadelphia, said police who are looking for teenagers involved with the fracas.
Philadelphia police officials said they have arrested three teenagers in connection with a mob-style attack that started suddenly in the Center City, Philadelphia, after groups of teenagers started randomly beating people before running away from police in the area.
A group of teens broke off from a larger group around 16th Street and Walnut Street early Saturday evening, turning and suddenly beating a 21-year-old who was nearby.
“They said it was unprovoked,” a witness, who asked not to be identified, told WCAU-TV. “They didn’t say anything, and they just found themselves getting beat up. It was scary.”
When a nearby off-duty officer saw the 21-year-old being beaten, he moved toward them, but the attackers ran. He saw another group attacking two women. When he attempted to arrest one of the other attackers, he was punched. His wife then splashed water on one of the attackers to stop her husband from being beaten and was punched in the face as well.
Overall, six people were hurt. Two declined medical treatment, while the rest were treated at Thomas Jefferson University Hospital, including the officer, who sustained a fractured eye socket.
Police have now arrested three teens in relation to the attacks, including two who immediately attacked another person down the street from where the officer was beaten and were arrested by responding officers.
