gas station

Homeless Man Dies Months After Brutal Attack Outside Philly Gas Station

A homeless man has died months after a brutal attack outside a Philadelphia gas station that left him in a coma.

Robert Barnes, 51, died Wednesday. The story of his passing was first reported by Brian Hickey with PhillyVoice.com.

Barnes was attacked by a group of six people on April 7 outside the Sunoco gas station at 5th Street and Somerville Avenue in the city’s Olney section.

The attack involved a hammer, a piece of wood and mace. The entire attack was caught on surveillance camera.

The video shows a group jump from a minivan and rush towards Barnes as he stood outside the gas station. They then punch him, stomp on him and strike him with a hammer.

After attacking Barnes, the group jumped back into the minivan and sped off.

Three adults -- Aleathea Gillard, 34, Shareena Joachim, 23, and Kaisha Duggins, 24 – are charged in the case. Gillard, Joachim and Duggins all rejected plea deals and will stand trial in January. The charges are expected to be upgraded following Barnes' death.

Police say one of Gillard’s children falsely accused Barnes of hitting him, which prompted the attack.

Three teens, a 14-year-old boy, 12-year-old girl and a 13-year-old boy ,all pleaded guilty to aggravated assault and conspiracy and were remanded to juvenile detention centers.

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