In a way, this is even worse than the muslim riots in France. At least they gave a reason for rioting, even if it was a bs reason. The flash mobs in the U.S. are only about hurting people for the sake of inflicting pain. And in a youtube world, they get instant notoriety and fame. And it will spawn copycats who compete to out do each other. We are headed for a Clockwork Orange society.
Downtown Minneapolis rocked by six violent "flash mob" attacks during last two monthsAt the link below is a photo of the victim in the hospital after one of the attacks.If you needed proof that some people really do get their jollies from inflicting senseless harm upon others, consider what happened last Friday evening in downtown Minneapolis near Fifth and Nicollet.
A trio of cyclists were biking down Nicollet Mall about 7:45 p.m. when a group of men at a bus stop suddenly approached them and started throwing punches. One of the bikers was left with a broken jaw; another was beaten but sustained less serious injuries.
The incident happened right in front of Minneapolis police, who chased the 15 to 20 suspects and ended up arresting one adult and several juveniles. It was the sixth "flash mob"-style attack since the beginning of February.
Sgt. Steve McCarty of the Minneapolis Police Department told KARE 11 that the perpetrators seem to be motivated by nothing more than the desire to act violently.
"It's just mainly to create mayhem, assault people and just whatever they can do," he said. "It's a weird mentality I don't think a lot of people can fathom or understand. Just to victimize people."
Officers have stepped up patrols in areas where the incidents have occurred, but last Friday's biker beatdown suggests added police presence isn't a surefire deterrent.
The Star Tribune runs down the other recent flash mob-style attacks:
Minneapolis flash mob beatings: Victim's mother details St. Patrick's Day attackReached at home, Pieter's mother explains that her son is resting. Pieter is recovering from a brain injury suffered when he was attacked by a group of 20 to 30 young people in downtown Minneapolis shortly after 11 p.m. on St. Patrick's Day night and can't talk on the phone until he gets a few more hours of rest.
But Pieter's mom Grace knows the story of what happened that night inside and out. It's a story that has unfolded disturbingly often recently -- since the start of February, "flash mobs" have struck with violence in downtown Minneapolis six times.
Three of the attacks have resulted in injuries, but Pieter's are by far the most severe. After he was attacked, doctors at HCMC struggled to contain swelling in his brain. The possibility of Pieter needing open-brain surgery hung over the family until 7 a.m. the next morning, when doctors finally concluded it wouldn't be necessary. Pieter, 27, is now in the early stages of a slow recovery from his injuries, but it's still too early to know whether he'll ever bounce back completely.
Pieter and his 23-year-old nephew were out downtown to celebrate St. Patrick's Day. They were hanging out at Kieran's, and decided to head back to their hotel room on the other side of downtown around 11. While walking to their room, Pieter and his nephew were "blindsided" by "20 to 30 juveniles."
Grace said a Wells Fargo security guard saw part of the incident and later told police that the mob repeatedly kicked Pieter while he lay on the ground helplessly. When the beating finally ceased, Pieter was left with a bloody face, no short-term memory, and significant brain injuries.
Pieter worked as a visual artist and graphic designer before the attack. He's home from the hospital now and staying with his mother. As he couldn't do in the hours immediately following the beatdown, he now remembers his name and is regaining some mobility. Yet he can't drive or go outside by himself, and his brain is still swollen. But Grace is optimistic Pieter is on the road to recovery.
As for the assailants? Both Pieter and his nephew have said the attack commenced so unexpectedly, they really can't remember anything about the young people who beat them mercilessly. "It happened so fast [Pieter] can't remember anything about them," Grace said.
Thankfully, a surveillance camera caught the incident on tape. That video is now in the custody of Minneapolis police, but no arrests have yet been made in connection with Pieter's beating.
Sgt. Steve McCarty of the Minneapolis Police Department said investigators are currently looking into possible connections between the string of incidents that has downtown Minneapolis on edge and Pieter facing a long recovery from devastating injuries.
-- Pieter's last name wasn't disclosed at the request of his family.