Violent Attack on Teen Girls in Queens Park

Two teenage girls were violently assaulted by a group of teens at Kissena Park in Queens, New York, earlier this month. This disturbing incident occurred on May 2nd, around 6 PM, while the victims, aged 13 and 16, were playing basketball, according to the New York Police Department (NYPD).

A gang, comprised of several 16- and 17-year-olds, allegedly pulled the girls into a wooded area, where they attacked them with baseball bats and stole their belongings. In a particularly shocking act, one of the attackers used an electric hair clipper to shave part of the older girl’s head. They also stole a mobile phone and limited edition sneakers valued at over $500, police reported.

Photos circulating on social media depict the brutal nature of the assault, showing the 13-year-old, curled up on the ground, being repeatedly struck with a bat. One attacker was seen taking off her shoes before attacking her again. The 16-year-old victim sustained visible injuries, including a large bruise on her back and patches of missing hair.

It appears that the victims were familiar with their assailants. However, authorities have not classified this attack as a hate crime, and the motive is still under investigation. Reports indicate that one of the girls lost consciousness during the two-hour ordeal.

So far, police have arrested three individuals—a group of three boys aged 17, a 17-year-old girl, and a 16-year-old boy—on various charges, including felony robbery, assault, and possession of a weapon.

This incident has drawn attention to the issue of safety in Kissena Park, already known for violent occurrences, as it was also the site of a rape incident involving a 13-year-old girl last year. The victims’ families are urging authorities for a deeper investigation, describing the attack as “inhuman” and suggesting it was premeditated.