Three people were brutally beaten by a mob of teens in the parking lot of the Kroger at Highland and Poplar Saturday night.
Two of the victims were reportedly teenage Kroger employees coming to the aid of a customer being attacked by the group. A video of the incident has gone viral.
The group of culprits came from the direction of a nearby CiCi’s Pizza. They shouted the words “Fam Mob,” which is a Memphis-based gang, as they approached the grocery store.
According to law enforcement, several people in the group attacked a 25-year-old man as he was exiting his vehicle. He suffered numerous blows to the face before fleeing inside the grocery store.
Two male Kroger employees, ages 17 and 18, attempted to help the man as the gang swarmed him, but were reportedly punched, kicked, and hit with pumpkins until they lost consciousness near the store’s front entrance.
Memphis Police Department Director Toney Armstrong issued a statement condemning the incident: “It is extremely troubling to see how many young people were involved, especially on the heels of last week’s youth forum. A lot of our citizens are working to provide safe and productive alternatives for our youth. For those that choose not to take advantage of these opportunities, we will work tirelessly to identify, locate and hold you accountable. Last night’s events clearly demonstrates a lack of parental controls and if warranted these parents will also be held accountable.”
Anyone with information on the occurrence is encouraged to contact the Tillman Police Station at 901-636-3214 or Crime Stoppers at 901-528-CASH.
