A large group of juveniles “savagely assaulted” two Newville brothers who had visited the city to watch fireworks at the Kipona festival, Harrisburg Police Chief Thomas Carter said Tuesday.
The victims, ages 16 and 19, were jumped near Third and Walnut streets as they walked to their vehicle after the fireworks ended Sunday night, Carter said.
The younger brother suffered a possible broken jaw, he said. The older brother tried to shield his younger brother from the attack and suffered bruising and swelling, he said.
The victims were able to run away from the group of attackers, who represented an overwhelming threat because of their sheer number, Carter said.
The beatdown also had a “racial overtone,” to it, Carter said. He said the attackers, who were black, yelled racial comments at the white victims, who had been “minding their own business.”
“That should not have happened,” he said. “Believe me, we’re not going to tolerate it.”
Carter called the Cumberland County teens to offer his support and let them know about the state’s victim compensation fund to cover their medical bills.
He described the brothers as “very nice, well-mannered” and didn’t hide his disgust over the actions of the attacking juveniles.
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