SEPTA

Teen Girls Attack Students on SEPTA Train

The incident occurred on a Broad Street Line train near SEPTA's Erie Station around 3:30 p.m. Wednesday

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Four teenage girls who were captured on video attacking several Asian students on a SEPTA train will likely face ethnic intimidation charges. NBC10’s Brian Sheehan spoke with the mother of one of the suspects who reporter her 12-year-old daughter to police. She apologized to the victims and their family members.

UPDATE: The suspects in the attack have been charged with ethnic intimidation and other related offenses. The mother of one of the suspects also spoke with NBC10 and apologized to the victims. New details here.

An investigation is underway after several teen girls were captured on video attacking a group of students on a SEPTA train in Philadelphia. 

The incident occurred on a Broad Street Line train near SEPTA's Erie Station around 3:30 p.m. Wednesday. 

Video of the attack shows a group of teen girls repeatedly punching and screaming at another group of teens on the train. One of the attackers also punches, knocks over and repeatedly kicks a teen girl before slapping her with her shoe. NBC10 is not showing the video out of respect for the victims.

The attackers in the video are African American while the victims appear to be Asian or Asian American. Investigators have not said whether or not the attack was racially motivated or what led to the incident, only describing the victims as "students."

A SEPTA spokesperson called the incident “violent and disturbing.” He also said no serious injuries were reported. 

SEPTA Police, Philadelphia Police, Philadelphia School Administration officials, School District Police and the Philadelphia Human Relations Commission are all investigating the incident.

The SEPTA spokesperson said they've identified individuals involved in the attack. They continue to interview witnesses and review cellphone video of the incident as well as surveillance video.

In response to the video, Philadelphia City Councilman David Oh called on SEPTA and the Philadelphia School District to increase security measures.

"There has to be a response by the police, by SEPTA school safety officers, formerly known as school police, and by SEPTA itself," Oh said. "It has a police force and we need to see them."

If you have any information on the incident, call SEPTA Police at 215-580-8111.

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