Crime

Boston police looking to identify suspects in viral St. Patrick’s Day assault

According to Boston police, the attack — which was captured in a viral video — happened around 4 p.m. Sunday in South Boston.

Boston police are looking to identify four suspects in an assault that happened in South Boston on St. Patrick's Day. The department shared images of three of the suspects. Boston Police Department

By Abby Patkin

March 22, 2024

1 minute to read

Boston police are asking the public for help identifying several people in connection with a St. Patrick’s Day assault that was captured in a viral video.

St. Patrick's Day parade:

The incident happened around 4 p.m. Sunday near E 2nd Street and M Street, the Boston Police Department said in a news release. Detectives in South Boston are looking to identify four suspects who were allegedly involved in the assault and battery, according to police.

The department shared images of three of the suspects, describing one as a white male with a thin build, wearing a tan scally cap and a Celtics jersey with a dark long-sleeved shirt or hooded sweatshirt underneath.

Police described the remaining suspects as Black males, providing no further details. However, one of the males appears to be wearing a black vest with a red hoodie underneath, and light-colored sweatpants. Another seems to be dressed in a navy long-sleeved shirt, with a black vest and a black hat.

BPD Community Alert: Detectives Assigned to District C-6 Seek the Public’s Help to Identify The Following Individuals in Relation to an Assault and Battery in South Boston https://t.co/k86xShu0op pic.twitter.com/SBVxBDIilR
— Boston Police Dept. (@bostonpolice) March 22, 2024

Held in Southie per usual, this year’s St. Patrick’s Day parade was marked by record crowds, several arrests, and reports of drunken brawls.

Video of the assault near Medal of Honor Park, which was widely circulated on X and Reddit, appears to show several people beating up a man and sending him tumbling downhill toward a baseball field. The exact circumstances of the incident remain unclear, as the footage starts in the middle of the assault and ends shortly after the man scrambles to his feet after hitting a fence face-first.

Boston police said they are actively reviewing the facts and circumstances surrounding the incident, encouraging anyone with information to contact detectives at 617-343-4742. Community members can also make tips anonymously by calling the CrimeStoppers Tip Line at 1-800-494-TIPS or by texting the word “TIP” to “CRIME” (27463).