Video Shows Group Inside Brooklyn McDonald's Beating, Kicking Girl While Spectators Watch
NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) -- A group of teenagers are seen on video pummeling a girl inside a Brooklyn McDonald's -- and no one tried to stop the violence.
As CBS2's Dave Carlin reported, the vicious fight broke out at a fast food restaurant Flatbush on Monday afternoon.
Many people took out their cellphones, but Carlin reported they were recording the fight rather than calling for help.
The disturbing three-minute video has been received hundreds of thousands of hits on the Internet.
The video starts with the gang assault already under way, as a group of girls exploded in a blind rage, with fists flying, inside the McDonald's at 943 Flatbush Ave.
The target of the violence, a small 15-year-old girl dressed in blue, gets no help from spectators, including some adults. Some spectators even climbed on table tops to get a better look as six to seven girls pummeled and kicked the victim.
"I have grandchildren, and it concerns me," area resident Gerald Nurse said.
The scene was even more violent during the final two minutes of the video, as the victim is seen getting punched in the face and repeatedly kicked while on the floor.
One young woman, who starts out wearing a black hoodie but later is seen wearing just a purple bra and jeans, is seen kicking the victim in the head. Police said they were looking for the 17-year-old as the main suspect.
There were so many teenagers inside the McDonald's that when someone flagged down a police officer after the fight, he had to call for backup to restore order, 1010 WINS' Carol D'Auria reported.
The girls involved all attend nearby Erasmus Hall High School, D'Auria reported.
People who saw the video on Wednesday said they want justice for the young victim, who ended up on her back in a booth with her arms over her face as witnesses implored someone to get ice for her.
"Wow, that girl, she should press charges," said high school student Tianna Gillespie. "She should really press charges."
"Everybody was, like, enjoying what was happening," a witness told 1010 WINS' D'Auria. "I don't think it's right."
Police sources said the young victim and her mother were contacted by investigators but refused to cooperate.
Community leaders said they will not let the issue drop.
"We have names. We have pictures. We have video of all these individuals," activist Tony Herbert said. "So save the taxpayers' money and bring yourself forward."
Herbert also said anyone witnessing an assault has an obligation to report it and help make it stop instead of cheering it on.
McDonald's franchisee Paul Goodman released a statement in response to the fight:
"The safety of my employees and customers is my top priority. In keeping with my restaurant policy, my employees contacted the police at the onset of this situation. As part of the Flatbush community, I will continue to work with the NYPD and community leaders to ensure the safety of customers," Goodman said. "Since this is now a under police investigation it would be inappropriate for me to comment further."
The McDonald's also disputed claims that 911 was never called, saying the staff called twice within six minutes.