Three juvenile girls have been criminally charged in the mob assault on York College students that was captured on camera, officials announced Friday.
York City Police Captain Daniel Lentz, speaking at a press conference, said the charges against the young suspects “range from felony riot to misdemeanor simple assault, defiant trespass and harassment.” The girls were not publicly identified because of their ages.
York County District Attorney Tim Barker emphasized that despite the juvenile system’s rehabilitation focus, the defendants will not escape serious consequences. “We absolutely will fully hold accountable the individuals that did this,” Barker vowed.
The attack occurred at approximately 1:50 a.m. Saturday in the West Jackson Street area, where a group of female York College students live off-campus. The violence erupted after more than 100 people had gathered for an illegal street race, and the students asked the crowd to leave their property, according to one victim who spoke with Fox 43.
One victim described how several roommates were dragged by the hair, punched, kicked, maced and beaten unconscious. A blonde student was pulled off her porch by her hair, dragged to a stop sign, and beaten while bystanders filmed the assault. Her friends called 911 five times, but police did not arrive until after the beating had ended.
Officials declined to specify the exact number of victims who were left bloodied and bruised, confirming only that multiple students were hurt. Barker said all injuries fell within the legal definition of “bodily injury,” meaning they were not life-threatening. “We absolutely thank God for that,” he added.
The incident, which actually occurred late Friday, Sept. 11, gained renewed attention after video of the assault circulated online. The footage showed the blonde student being ripped from her porch and dragged as the mob surrounded her.
The case remains under investigation as authorities work to identify additional participants in the mob. The three charged girls are being prosecuted through the juvenile justice system.