Queens, New York.Queens District Attorney Melinda Katz said Wednesday that seven 17-year-olds have been charged with a vicious gang-style attack on two younger youths in Kissena Park.
The defendants are charged with enticing a 13-year-old and his 16-year-old companion into a park forested area on May 2, then robbing, punching, and kicking them while using a metal baseball bat. A portion of one teen’s skull was shaved during the assault, and another was strangled until he passed out.
According to DA Katz, a gang of students allegedly enticed two younger kids into Kissena Park’s woods and beat them mercilessly. The level of mob violence was just appalling.
The victims experienced tremendous emotional and physical suffering.
The charges state that the attack started when a 17-year-old girl who had previously been acquainted with the 13-year-old victim set up a meeting in the park. After warning that the beating would be worse if it happened on the concrete court, the group forced the younger victims into the woods.
A metal bat and gloves with metal spikes embedded in them were used to repeatedly strike the 16-year-old. His phone, sweater, and shoes were taken during the assault. The 13-year-old was also hit with the bat, kicked, and punched. During the continuing attack, one attacker shaved the 16-year-old’s head using battery-operated clippers after he passed out from strangling.
Defendants might spend up to 25 years behind bars.
The teenagers are charged with a total of 25 counts, which include robbery, strangling, gang assault, attempted murder, and unlawful possession of a firearm. Between June 4 and June 25, the accused were arraigned before Justice Bruna DiBiase of the Queen’s Supreme Court. They could each spend up to 25 years behind bars if found guilty on the most serious crimes.
Both victims were admitted to the hospital. The 13-year-old sustained a concussion, eye damage, edema, and bruises. The 16-year-old experienced memory loss in addition to similar injuries.