Thread: OH Akron police investigate teen mob attack on family

Akron police investigate teen mob attack on family
By Phil Trexler
Beacon Journal staff writer

POSTED: 07:44 p.m. EDT, Jul 07, 2009

[img]http://media.ohio.com/images/270*197/fireworks08cut.JPG[/img]
Martin Marshall (right) recounts the attack by a group of teens on himself and his family while they were watching a Fourth of July fireworks display in Firestone Park. His daughter, Rachel Hopson, 15, (left) and wife, Yvonne Marshall, listen. (Michael Chritton/Akron Beacon Journal)

Akron police say they aren't ready to call it a hate crime or a gang initiation.

But to Marty Marshall, his wife and two kids, it seems pretty clear.

It came after a family night of celebrating America and freedom with a fireworks show at Firestone Stadium. Marshall, his family and two friends were gathered outside a friend's home in South Akron.

Out of nowhere, the six were attacked by dozens of teenage boys, who shouted ''This is our world'' and ''This is a black world'' as they confronted Marshall and his family.

The Marshalls, who are white, say the crowd of teens who attacked them and two friends June 27 on Girard Street numbered close to 50. The teens were all black.

''This was almost like being a terrorist act,'' Marshall said. ''And we allow this to go on in our neighborhoods?''

They said it started when one teen, without any words or warning, blindsided and assaulted Marshall's friend as he stood outside with the others.

When Marshall, 39, jumped in, he found himself being attacked by the growing group of teens.

His daughter, Rachel, 15, who weighs about 90 pounds, tried to come to his rescue. The teens pushed her to the ground.

His wife, Yvonne, pushed their son, Donald, 14, into bushes to keep him protected.

''My thing is,'' Marshall said, ''I didn't want this, but I was in fear for my wife, my kids and my friends. I felt I had to stay out there to protect them, because those guys were just jumping, swinging fists and everything.

''I'm lucky. They didn't break my ribs or bruise my ribs. I thank God, they concentrated on my thick head because I do have one. They were trying to take my head off my spine, basically.''

After several minutes of punches and kicks, the attack ended and the group ran off. The Marshalls' two adult male friends were not seriously hurt.

''I don't think I thought at that moment when I tried to jump in,'' Rachel Marshall said. ''But when I was laying on the ground, I was just scared.''

Marshall was the most seriously injured. He suffered a concussion and multiple bruises to his head and eye. He said he spent five nights in the critical care unit at Akron General Medical Center.

The construction worker said he now fears for his family's safety, and the thousands of dollars in medical bills he faces without insurance.

''I knew I was going to get beat, but not as bad as I did,'' Marshall said. ''But I did it to protect my family. I didn't have a choice. There was no need for this. We should be all getting along. But to me, it seems to be racist.''

Akron police are investigating. Right now, the case is not being classified as a racial hate crime. There were no other reports of victims assaulted by the group that night.

The department's gang unit is involved in the investigation, police said.

''We don't know if it's a known gang, or just a group of kids,'' police Lt. Rick Edwards said.

The Marshalls say they fear retaliation at home or when they go outside. They are considering arming themselves, but they're concerned about the possible problems that come with guns.

For now, they are hoping police can bring them suspects. They believe they can identify several of the attackers.

''This makes you think about your freedom,'' Marshall said. ''In all reality, where is your freedom when you have this going on?''


Phil Trexler can be reached at 330-996-3717 or ptrexler@thebeaconjournal.com.

http://www.ohio.com/news/50172282.html

Akron police say they aren't ready to call it a hate crime or a gang initiation.


What on earth are the police waiting for?? Where is Al Sharpton? This families live were threatened. The statements made by the youths make it clear what kind of crime this was. Imagine the reverse situation and bingo...national media coverage. Like the fireman case in some regards?

We have family friends who went to a park. Some local youths were walking their dogs which just happened to be pitbulls. The dogs were released and went after the family. One of the children got bit in the leg.

It's heartbreaking that we can't enjoy our parks and sense of safety. I was warned by a cop not to go to a nearby park anymore because a certain gang has taken it over.

Akron police are investigating. Right now, the case is not being classified as a racial hate crime.

Obviously because the victims in this case are white and the political culture in America says it is OK to victimize whites without it being called a "hate crime"

The Akron police are practicing the same socialist policies that Sonia Sotomayor thinks is fine. They think of racism and hatred as a one way street.

W

Just wondering: Why aren't Akron area white people---and white people from across the country--- marching in the street in mass to protest in anger what happened to these innocent white people?

Oh, man. Can you imagine the mass of black people that would be running to Akron if the reverse was true?

People like Shrapton and Jesse Jackson and hundreds of black leaders would be marching arm-in-arm right now on Akron in heated protest, if the victims were black instead of white.

White people of Akron. Stand up and be counted and protest.

Can you say Jena 6 of Louisiana. Bring charges against them and Sharpton and Jackson will show up. They all took a plea deal of guilty or no contest.

Dixie

White people have FEW rights!

Related Video of victims.
http://www.alipac.us/ftopicp-921867.html#921867

Marshall was the most seriously injured. He suffered a concussion and multiple bruises to his head and eye. He said he spent five nights in the critical care unit at Akron General Medical Center.
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DID ANYONE NOTICE THIS
five nights in CCU unit after fireworks to celebrate the 4th.
Just what night were the fireworks????

I have not checked yet, but Ill bet you all twenty bucks that Ohio is not a Conceal Carry State!

This sounds like a crime that would be much less likely to happen in a conceal carry state like NC.

W

If there has been an injustice, then call Al Sharpton and Jesse Jackson. They don't just cruise the news to find out about crimes, they are alerted to them. You have a group of black young men out terrorizing people, say something. If you don't say anthing to the leaders of the black community that this is going on, then it is just a local news article and dies in seconds. Forums are great, but you can speculate and talk about what Al or Jesse would do, but you have no idea. There are black families that suffer injustice everyday of the week without a peep for anyone or even a news article. This is a potentially grave action taking place, call the men first and if they do nothing then you can say what they will and will not do. I for one believe there should be a call for the leaders of the community to challenge the people to turn in those involved, but if it only stays in this or any other forum, this too will die out like a smoldering cinder. Instead of complaining about what you think others will not do, call yourself to arms and stand up for what is right.