A Minneapolis teenage boy was left with severe injuries after he suffered an attack while playing basketball at his local YMCA.
The teenager was brutally beaten up by a mob of 13 boys who entered the gymnasium through the back door with masks and hooded sweatshirts, according to the Hennepin County Attorney’s Office.
The victim, Elroi Beyene, 16, was left with brain injuries, a cut below his eye, and several bruises, his mom, Abeda Guche told local outlet The Minnesota Star Tribune.
Police were called to the YMCA for reports of a large fight and found Beyene, however, the 13 attackers had already fled the scene. The teenage boy was taken to a local hospital.
Beyene was diagnosed with a ‘traumatic brain injury,’ according to a petition reviewed by The Tribune. Police also reported that his ‘mental state was declining’ as Beyene repeated himself and struggled with his memory.
The horrific attack has left the teenager’s life altered and he and his family are paying the price.
Beyene told local NBC affiliate, WTCN News, that he couldn’t focus in school and exposure to bright lights or loud noises impacted him negatively.
‘I’ve been really anxious every time I go outside,’ he added when speaking on the mental toll the attack has caused him.
Guche added that she’s a single mom and had to cut back her hours to help care for her son. Beyene has also had to quit his job due to his medical condition.
The Edina Police Department has been investigating the case and made six arrests in connection to Beyene’s assault.
A 16-year-old boy was arrested on January 8 and was taken to the Hennepin County Juvenile Detention Center. The boy faces felony charges for rioting in the third degree and third-degree assault, according to a press release from police.
The following day, three more teenage boys were arrested in connection to the attack. Another 16-year-old boy and a 17-year-old boy were arrested for the same felony charges.
A 14-year-old was also arrested but charges haven’t been made public due to his age.
The other two boys arrested are also 17 years old. One of the suspects turned himself in on January 13.
Evidence from seized cell phones helped police to identify the attackers, leading to their arrests. Witnesses had videotaped the incident which were taken by authorities at the scene.
Footage from Beyene’s cellphone was also used as evidence in the case. The teenager told police that he believed his attackers attended his high school in Edina.
Beyene added that he could identify some of his attackers, however, their identities haven’t been made public.
The 16-year-old boy charged told police that the attack was planned and he went to the YMCA to carry out the horrific scene. He added that he hit the victim, ‘two or three times’ and kicked him once, The Tribune reported.
It’s unclear what motivated the attackers and what their relationships were with the victim.
Dailymail.com has reached out to the Edina Police Department and the victim’s family for comment but didn’t immediately hear back.