Investigators said officers found the victim after responding to a report of an injured person at 16th Avenue and Tonto Street in Phoenix shortly after 5:30 a.m. The man was left in a roadway in a critical condition after suffering injuries to his head, ABC15 reported.
Citing witness statements, officials with the Phoenix Police Department said the three suspects are believed to be between the ages of 16 and 20.
Detective Luis Samudio told The Arizona Republic newspaper they fled the scene after “beating and stomping” the victim, whose identity has not yet been released by law enforcement.
“The victim was transported to hospital where he was found to have life threatening injuries,” Det. Samudio added. Authorities said they have not been able to talk to the victim due to his medical status, and the three unidentified suspects remain at large.
Police, who are appealing for additional information from the public, found evidence at the scene of the attack that supported the witness testimonies, KPHO reported. A tweet sent on Sunday by Mario Valadez, a Fox10 photo-journalist, confirmed the man had suffered a head injury.
The Phoenix Police Department say anyone with information can report details via the number (602) 262-6151. An anonymous line can be reached at 480-W-I-T-N-E-S-S, 480-948-6377. Spanish-speaking witnesses can reach local police officials via 480-T-E-S-T-I-G-O.
It remains unclear what charges will be brought against the suspects. JacksonWhite Law, a legal outfit in the state, says that penalties related to assault can be severe upon conviction.
“In general, you can expect misdemeanor assault charges to include anything from a maximum of 30 days to four months in jail. Aggravated assault charges can lead to years of imprisonment, especially for the more severe cases of assault,” the law office says in a fact sheet.
In a separate incident yesterday allegedly involving youths, police said three teenagers are facing “serious charges” after being accused of vandalizing Sunnyslope High School.
The suspects, aged between 15 and 16, allegedly broke into the high school last month and caused $35,000 worth of damage by breaking windows, pouring laundry detergent onto the floors and damaging locker rooms. The incident was dubbed an “overnight crime spree” by police, and the teens were hit with aggravated criminal damage and commercial burglary charges.
Last week, two male teenagers, aged 18 and 19, were apprehended after allegedly causing at least $20,000 worth of damage by using pellet guns to shoot at cars, homes and restaurants. The suspects, arrested last Tuesday, faced drive by shooting and criminal damage charges.
