Six teens are being questioned in connection with the brutal Bridgeport beating of a 17-year-old boy on Sunday, reports CBS Chicago. The beating was reportedly captured on video and posted on YouTube, the popular video-sharing site.
The video graphically portrays the boys kicking, punching and dragging the helpless teen around a snowy alleyway while yelling racial slurs at him. One boy can be heard saying to the victim, who appeared to be of Asian descent: “Am I speaking Chinese to you, n——?” However, authorities said the beating did not appear to be racially motivated. You can watch the video here, but it does contain scenes of graphic violence, racial slurs and profanity:
The beating lasted for several minutes before the victim was able to get away without his shoes. The thugs were also able to take his wallet and $180 in cash. The victim was taken to the hospital and treated for a laceration to his lip, bruises and abrasions.
The video was later posted online on YouTube, igniting outrage, according to CBS. Police reportedly only found out about the beating because of calls from viewers who had seen the video, and some viewers have even reportedly been able to identify the suspected attackers.
"It was just disgusting, but I'm glad that the people are calling the Chicago Police Department and posting information on video and on YouTube," community activist Andrew Holmes told CBS.
If the identifications are correct, this wouldn't be the first time social media sites have been used to foil crimes. Last year, a beating victim was able to identify his attackers by using Facebook.
Police say they are close to bringing charges against the six teens in custody and are searching for two more suspects. They likely face serious charges of aggravated battery and armed robbery.
Related Resources:
- Find a Chicago Criminal Defense Attorney (FindLaw)
- 6 Questioned in Brutal Bridgeport Beating Captured on YouTube Video (Chicago Sun-Times)
- Aggravated Assault (FindLaw)
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