Police are investigating a mob of teens who attacked people at random during a knockout game-style challenge, in a Memphis Kroger store parking lot. The mob included as many as 100 to 125 kids, who had previously patronized a CiCi’s Pizza, were involved in the brutal attacks that happened around 9:15 p.m. Sept. 6.
A 25-year-old man said he was first attacked by the group as he walked from his car to enter Kroger. When two Kroger employees attempted to help the injured man, they were attacked by the mob of teens. Both were struck in the head and face multiple times with pumpkins “in excess of 20 pounds,” while they were on the ground and knocked unconscious. Only when a Kroger security guard intervened did the mob disperse. The three people were treated on the scene for their medical injuries, reportedly refusing to be taken to a local hospital.
“It is extremely troubling to see how many young people were involved, especially on the heels of last week’s youth forum,” Memphis Police Department Director Toney Armstrong said via a statement. Armstrong is referring to an initiative aimed to provide safe and productive alternatives for Memphis youth.
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Police have arrested one minor teen on charges of aggravated assault, aggravated riot, and other counts. Police can’t release the boy’s name because he is underage. Memphis police are actively pursuing the other teens who were involved in the brutal attacks and ask that anyone with information assist in their investigation.
“Last night’s events clearly demonstrates a lack of parental controls and if warranted these parents will also be held accountable,” Armstrong said. “We will be meeting this week and I think in the days to come we are going to sit down and try to craft a plan where we can hold parents for your kids’ actions especially in those incidents where we can prove that you were fully aware of your kids’ actions but chose not to step in.”
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