I'm ready for the race war.

Six hurt, two arrested after 'flash mobbing' attacks in Philadelphia


The worst injury -- a fractured eye socket -- was sustained by an off-duty police officer trying to break up the fights and arrest the attackers.
By Stephen Feller | Updated Nov. 14, 2016 at 8:55 AM
Comments Comments

PHILADELPHIA, Nov. 13 (UPI) -- An officer, his wife and four other people were injured in what witnesses described as a "flash mobbing" 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 Center City, Philadelphia, after groups of teenagers started randomly beating people before running away from police in the area.

One witness likened the incident to a flash mob, when a group of people plan a public spectacle, which usually involves dancing and singing, not violence.

"It's crazy out here," Dwight Magood told WPVI-TV. "I don't know if they were trying to protest or 'flash mobbing.' But it's not the right way to do it, whatever it was."

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 attempted to arrest one of another group of attackers going after two women and 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.

Two of the attackers who beat the officer attacked another person down the street, where they were arrested by responding officers. Police say they have now arrested three teens in relation to the attacks.

Overall, six people were hurt. Two declined medical treatment, and the rest were treated at Thomas Jefferson University Hospital, including the officer, who sustained a fractured eye socket.