Pittsburgh police have arrested two teens in connection with a vicious beating of a man by about eight people in the heart of Downtown Pittsburgh on Tuesday night.
Police said the incident, which occurred about 9 p.m. at the intersection of Liberty Avenue and Stanwix Street and was filmed by a witness, “was not a random attack.”
Robert Richard, 18, of North Versailles and William Yarbrough, 18, of Pittsburgh were each charged with aggravated assault.
The victim’s teeth “appeared to be pushed back” and he was kicked so many times in his ribs that he had trouble breathing or talking, according to a criminal complaint.
The video shows Richard kicking the victim three times in the ribs while the victim lay on the ground, unconscious, the complaint said.
Police said Richard also stomped with both feet on the victim’s back.
Yarbough is seen punching and kicking the victim in the face, also while he was unconscious, according to the complaint, which cited video evidence.
The victim was taken to UPMC Mercy hospital Tuesday night in stable condition, police said.
Police, who were dispatched for a report of a fight, found the victim unconscious.
“I can tell you that the individuals in this incident all had some type of pre-existing relationship to each other,” Cara Cruz, a police spokeswoman, said Thursday. “This was not a random attack. What precipitated it is what remains under investigation.”
Cruz said she didn’t know how many officers were on duty Downtown during the attack, but she it occurred during the shift with the highest staffing.
The attack occurred near the site of a former McDonalds, police said. The location is near the Gateway light-rail station and Fifth Avenue Place, and about four blocks from the police bureau’s Downtown substation.
Police arrested the teens in a nearby park. Richard also was charged for possessing a small amount of marijuana.
They were taken to the Allegheny County Jail. They were arraigned and posted bond, court records show.
Their preliminary hearings are set for Oct. 16. Attorneys were not listed in the court record for either man.
Police said the investigation is continuing.
In February, a witness captured video of a group pummeling and kicking a homeless man.
The incident happened during a weekday afternoon in Market Square. At least one teen was arrested.
