Dozens of teenagers allegedly assault passersby in Center City flash mob

CENTER CITY (WTXF) - Viewer Fresco video shows the chaotic scene shortly after witnesses say dozens of teenagers began assaulting random passersby at 16th and Walnut just past 6 last evening.

Michelle Harper was walking home when she saw the kids, then someone told her to run.

"She said please just turn around there are people being hit and assaulted and just go in the opposite direction. So I did."

Police say an off duty Philadelphia police detective and his wife were among those punched in the back and face when they tried to intervene.

The detective suffered a broken eye socket, his wife punched in the face. At least three other people were hurt and cops say a sixth man was attacked further down 16th street.

Police arrested two 16-year-old boys for that assault. Laura Bloemeke saw the chaotic scene from her high rise apartment window.

"I looked out the window and maybe 30 40 teenagers running down 16th Street. There was a lot of shouting going on."

Sunday evening people who live and work in this stretch of center city still shaken by what they witnessed. Shop keeps here telling us off camera they had to calm terrified customers, some bloodied and bruised, who ran in off the street to escape. Witnesses say the flash of intense violence lasted ten minutes.

"It changes how I'm going to go about walking around at night."

People here are shocked and scared, but there is a sense of compassion. Many tell us they're also heartbroken for the young people who police say were part of the mob.

Michelle Harper, a witness, said, "It felt really sad for whoever was doing the assaults. I think there's a lot of pain. I think there's a lot of trauma. I think the expression of the pain and trauma is very unfortunate.

"I think we need to activate our youth they have a lot of energy they need to direct towards something positive."