Teens sought in brutal beating

Do you know these teenagers?

Police are searching for a group of six who they said attacked a 64-year-old Vietnam War veteran for apparently no reason in Northwest Philadelphia Tuesday evening.

The victim was walking on the 5000 block of N. 5th Street, in the city's Olney section, around 6 p.m., on his way to a bus stop. The teenagers were walking a ways behind him when they decided, "just for sport, to beat this guy down," said Philadelphia Lt. George McClay, of the Northwest detective division.

"One kid breaks off from the pack, beats this guy down, and the rest of them join in," McClay said.

The victim was taken to Albert Einstein Medical Center with serious injuries to his head, face and hand. The assault was so severe that McClay said police intend to charge the perpetrators with attemped murder.

"Someone knows these kids," McClay said. "They're from the neighborhood, we know they are. We're looking for one or two names...This behavior can't be let go."

The attackers, who were caught on a surveillance camera in the area, were described as 16 to 18 years old, black and Hispanic. One was wearing an orange hooded sweatshirt and jeans. Anyone with information is asked to call police.

The victim served in Vietnam until he was shot in the eye, McClay said. Since then he has worked in veterans support services, helping others find jobs.