Cops Search For Suspects In Bronx Gym Beating
NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) -- Police are searching for nearly a dozen people who beat a teen and his friend inside a Bronx gym last month.
The victims -- a 16-year-old boy and his 21-year-old friend -- were initially attacked when they were walking by Kingsbridge Road and Valentine Avenue in Fordham on the night of March 17, police said.
The victims got away, then ran into a Planet Fitness gym about a quarter-mile away for safety. But the group of attackers, which included males and females, followed them.
Surveillance video shows the suspects going after the victims, striking them repeatedly with sticks and chairs, CBS2's Ilana Gold reported.
Both victims were rushed to the hospital with cuts on their heads and faces.
"It makes you nervous when you go to the gym and that type of environment is there," said gym member Manual Fonfrias.
Fonfrias said he was alarmed by the images from the attack.
"(Have you ever seen anything like this at your gym?) No, it's scary to see or experience," he said.
"It's tragic. It's terrifying," said Sister Eileen Hogan, of Fordham.
Hogan said she's greatly concerned about the safety in the neighborhood, and claims fights like this aren't uncommon there.
"I'm compassionate and worried about the families that have children," she said.
So far, police have not been able to identify the suspects, but they have released photos of three suspects -- two males and a female.
Authorities are asking anyone with information about the suspects to call Crime Stoppers at 800-577-8477 or to submit a tip online at NYPDCrimeStoppers.com. All communications are kept confidential.
