LAFAYETTE, IN — A 22-year-old Lafayette man walking with an acquaintance early Sunday on the John T. Myers Pedestrian Bridge found himself surrounded and attacked by seven to 10 men, according to West Lafayette police.
The Lafayette man said he passed a woman who said something to him, and he replied, according to police, who said the man told them the attack happened about 4:50 a.m. Sunday. The man told police his comment was not offensive but that woman told the men with her to attack the 22-year-old.
The man did not report the attack until nearly 4 p.m. Sunday, according to police.
The Journal & Courier messaged the man asking for more information, but he has not yet responded.
A video of the assault is on social media. Police said they do not know whether the woman recording the video is the woman the man spoke with before the attack.
One in the group of attackers was in a wheelchair with a T-shirt with large writing on the back, according to the video. Another wore a black shirt and black pants. At least two others wore white shirts. One wore a Chicago Bears’ jersey with the number 54 on it. At least three women appear to be on camera during the attack, and the voice of the person recording the incident sounds like a woman.
The video shows the 22-year-old Lafayette man shoved, punched and knocked to the ground, where his attackers kicked him in the head and body, and at least one person stomped on his head.
After or during the beating, the group of men and women stole the Lafayette man’s cell phone, according to West Lafayette police, who initially took the report because it was mistakenly believed that the attack happened near the fountain in the west side’s jurisdiction.
From watching the video, a West Lafayette police detective realized that the attack happened on Lafayette’s side of the bridge. Lafayette police said they are investigating the attack, and no one has been arrested.
Anyone with information about this crime should call Lafayette police at 765-807-1200, or leave an anonymous tip at We Tip Hotline at 800-782-7463.
Reach Ron Wilkins at rwilkins@jconline.com. Follow on Twitter: @RonWilkins2.
This article originally appeared on Lafayette Journal & Courier: Lafayette man reports being attacked by 7 to 10 men on pedestrian bridge
Reporting by Ron Wilkins, Lafayette Journal & Courier / Lafayette Journal & Courier
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By Ron Wilkins, Lafayette Journal & Courier | USA TODAY Network
