A candle-lighting is scheduled to honor an unhoused Binghamton man who was assaulted, police say, by a group of teenagers.
City of Binghamton Police said a 45-year-old man was in critical condition April 29 after being assaulted by five teenage boys on the evening of April 27. The assault, police said, was part of a social media trend in which unhoused or drug addicted people are targeted.
As of the morning of May 1, police have not identified the victim or updated his status. A GoFundMe page created by Dianne Galliher identifies her son, Peter Bennedum, as the victim. In a May 1 update, Galliher said Bennedum “will be removed from life support in the next few days.”
“This senseless act has left our family devastated and facing the unimaginable pain of losing someone we love so deeply,” the GoFundMe description reads. “Peter was a kind soul who, despite his struggles, always tried to help others. His life was cut short in a way no one should ever experience, and our hearts are broken.”
Candle lighting to be held for Peter Bennedum
A candle-lighting event has been scheduled for 3 p.m. May 5 at Carroll and Henry streets, the area where Bennedum was found, according to a Facebook post.
Attendees are asked to bring donations, like socks, shirts, hygiene products and sleeping bags, which will be given to those in need.
What happened April 27 in Binghamton
City of Binghamton Police responded to a report of an unconscious man lying on the sidewalk in the area of Carroll and Henry streets in Binghamton at around 11 p.m. Monday, April 27.
Police said their investigation determined the man had been assaulted by a group of teens around 9:30 p.m.
All five teenagers were identified and taken into custody by 5 p.m. the following day. They have not been publicly identified by police due to their ages.
As of April 29, two 15-year-old boys and two 14-year-old boys had been charged with attempted second-degree murder. The 13-year-old boy was released to his guardian, but criminal charges were anticipated to be filed as the investigation continued.
Binghamton attack ‘abhorrent and inexplicable’
In an April 30 Facebook post, City of Binghamton Mayor Jared Kraham called the attack “abhorrent and inexplicable.”
“Our community is left grappling with how these young people could carry out such a heinous act of violence,” he said. “I’ve been at a loss for words these last few days.”
Kraham said he was confident the Binghamton Police Department and prosecutors would ensure the alleged perpetrators will face justice.
“Let my message be clear: Violence is never acceptable, and trends on social media that promote criminal behavior of any kind will not be tolerated,” Kraham said. “If you break the law — juvenile or not — your actions will be taken seriously by law enforcement, and you will face consequences. No one deserves to be the victim of such senseless violence.”
In 16 hours, the GoFundMe for Bennedum’s family raised $16,745. As of May 1, donations have been paused.
This article originally appeared on Binghamton Press & Sun-Bulletin: Candle lighting next week will honor Binghamton group assault victim
Reporting by Sunshyne Lynch and Jillian McCarthy, Binghamton Press & Sun Bulletin / Binghamton Press & Sun-Bulletin
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