A 20-year-old man was brutally beaten by four males outside an MBTA station in downtown Boston Thursday night, an unprovoked attack that was captured on video and has since gone viral.
Andy Neufell, 53, a south-of-Boston resident, said his son, Adam, had been visiting the city with his girlfriend. The couple was waiting outside South Station when the assault occurred.
Neufell said his son was knocked unconscious by four young men, who continued to punch and kick him repeatedly while he was out cold. He said they can be seen on video laughing, and took his son’s hat, presumably as a trophy.
“These kids were just looking for trouble,” Neufell said. “From the video, it looks to me that they were on cocaine. They were all hyped up on something. They were looking for somebody to target.”
Boston Police Officer Kim Tavares said BPD received a call at 12:09 a.m. Friday for “four white, adult male suspects,” who physically assaulted a 20-year-old man outside South Station.
The victim was taken to a local hospital with non-life-threatening injuries. No arrests have been made and the investigation is ongoing, Tavares said.
Neufell said his son is home now, but is still dealing with serious injuries. His nose is broken and he is recovering from a concussion. Tests have also been performed on his vertebrae. He said Adam was doing worse on Saturday, both physically and mentally.
Neufell said the attack may have been a hate crime. His son is in a rock band and has long hair, which may have prompted the derogatory and homophobic slurs that the suspects shouted at him prior to the beating.
When Adam yelled something back at them, Neufell said the men, who appeared to be in their late teens or early 20s, piled out of the SUV, ran toward his son and started to attack him. Adam’s girlfriend was also knocked to the ground in the process, Neufell said.
Footage captured by a nearby motorist showing the assault and license plate of the attackers’ vehicle has gone viral — it has been posted on YouTube and widely shared on social media. Neufell’s video on Facebook has been shared more than 1,500 times.
Neufell said the situation has been overwhelming and has left him “sick and angry.”
He said police have identified the attackers, but have not yet made the arrests, which BPD would not confirm. However, he fears the punishment may not fit the crime.
“I’m really hoping (Mayor) Michelle Wu steps up here,” Neufell said. “A lot of people were calling her out on social media. A lot of people were saying these kids are going to get away with a slap on the wrist because they’re white.”
A city spokesperson said: “Violence has absolutely no place in the City of Boston. Boston Police are actively investigating the situation.”
Screenshot of video courtesy of Andy NeufellThe public beating of Adam Neufell, 20, shared on social media by his father, Andy Neufell, in an attempt to find the suspects. (Screenshot of video courtesy of Andy Neufell)