Three homeless people were attacked and assaulted by a group of six people while they slept in downtown Silver Spring’s Veterans Plaza earlier this month, according to Montgomery County police.
Surveillance video posted Tuesday by police shows part of the attack with three suspects seen repeatedly punching, hitting and kicking a victim curled up on the ground while two other suspects watched.
An initial investigation found that at roughly 4:45 a.m. on July 16, a dark-colored Honda Civic stopped near Ellsworth Drive and Fenton Street. Six suspects exited the vehicle and approached the victims while they were sleeping, police said Tuesday in a statement.
One female victim was asleep at a table when she was punched in the face. The suspects also grabbed and broke her phone when she attempted to use it to call 911, according to police. Two male victims were asleep on a bench when the group approached and assaulted them.
The group chased a fourth male victim on Ellsworth Drive toward George Avenue. The suspects eventually stopped chasing the male, according to police. Two of the victims were transported to a local hospital for treatment of injuries sustained in the attack.
Police ask anyone with information to visit crimesolversmcmd.org and click on the www.p3tips.com link or to call 1-866-411-8477. Tips can remain anonymous and those leading to an arrest could be eligible for a reward of $250 to $10,000.