A university police officer in addition to a police horse have been also assaulted in the course of attacks on Friday night, police said.
Four juveniles happen to be arrested in connection together with the assaults, which started after virtually 200 people gathered near Temple University's campus in North Philadelphia in the meet-up coordinated as a result of social media, the university mentioned within a statement. The group split into smaller factions and the to start with assault was reported at 8:30 p.m., when police said approximately twenty juveniles attacked three individuals walking on Oxford Street near Broad Street.
A 19-year-old female, that has been identified as Temple Univeristy sophomore Christina Lauletta by her father, a 19-year-old man plus a 20-year-old man had been "kicked, punched and knocked on the ground" during the attack. Lauletta's father, Joe Lauletta, posted on Facebook that his daughter was taken for the hospital and "every part of her body is badly bruised." Her phone was also stolen while in the attack.
Lauletta told the area Fox affiliate that his daughter was returning to campus with two male friends just after attending a football game in South Philadelphia when the assault occurred on Friday. "She had bruises on her back, her arms, her legs, her ribs after which they had been stomping on her head and encounter," he mentioned.
Two male youngsters - a 15-year-old plus a 17-year-old - are arrested and charged in connection with that assault. The teenagers encounter fees of aggravated assault, robbery and also other offenses.
About a half hour later, a Temple University police officer was assaulted by a 15-year-old male, who police said was spotted throwing rocks at passing vehicles on North Broad Street. The teenager threw the officer, who was pursuing him on the bicycle, on the ground, police stated, and tried to flee. He was arrested by a different officer and faces expenses that include aggravated assault and resisting arrest.
Quickly right after, a 16-year-old male approached a mounted police officer and "punched the horse twice within the face," police stated. The teen also attempted to run away but was arrested and continues to be charged with assault on a police service animal.
Yet another assault was reported close to 9:20 p.m. on Cecil B. Moore Avenue. Police explained "a substantial group of males and females inside their teens" surrounded 3 persons and assaulted them and stole products including a telephone, wallet and back pack.
No arrests are already created in that incident.
Temple University stated it had been operating with Philadelphia Police to improve police presence inside the region, specifically to the weekends. The university mentioned that walking escorts and shuttle solutions are available.
"Please be aware of one's surroundings while walking. If probable, travel with pals and stroll in well-lit, on a regular basis traveled streets or pathways," the university stated in the statement. "Look all over to make positive that you are certainly not getting followed. Should you consider you might be remaining followed, cross the street. When you are remaining pursued, do anything at all that might summon assistance."