BOSTON — Police are seeking the public’s help in identifying a group of males after a college student was brutally attacked over the weekend on Tremont Street.
Police on Monday released a photograph of the five males who were captured on surveillance video.
The males “are believed to be connected to an aggravated assault and battery incident” on Saturday at 140 Tremont St., police said.
Aidan Knaster, a student at Suffolk University, told Boston 25 that he was walking home to his dorm at Suffolk Saturday night around 11 p.m. when he was brutally attacked by a group of males.
“One of them body-checked me, like he put his shoulder out and it was purposeful,” Knaster said.
He said one of the males shoved him unprovoked, and when he turned around to confront them, the group surrounded him.
“They were saying horrible things to me, just kind of started pushing me around,” said Knaster.
Knaster says he was hit over the head with a beer bottle, choked, and beaten to the point where he blacked out. He suffered a concussion.
The bottle cut an artery so “I lost a lot of blood, there was blood everywhere,” Knaster said.
A couple of strangers called 911. Knaster was taken to the hospital. He now has four stitches in his head.
The victim’s parents, who live in New York, were shaken that their son was attacked randomly.
“It’s scary and it’s frustrating because you’re helpless, you can’t protect them,” said Todd Knaster, Aidan’s father.
Suffolk University has boosted campus police patrols since the assault, and campus police officers are working alongside Boston Police as part of the investigation, university officials said in a statement on Monday.
“The University is deeply concerned and saddened that one of our students was the victim of a random and senseless attack Saturday night while walking along Tremont Street,” Suffolk University officials said.
“We have been in contact with the student and his family since the incident, and we are grateful that he is recovering from his injuries,” university officials said. “Suffolk University Police are working closely with the Boston Police Department in the investigation of this incident.”
“The safety of our students and our broader community is our highest priority,” university officials said. “Working with Boston Police, Suffolk University Police patrol the area in and around our buildings, paying particular attention to Tremont Street. SUPD has further increased those patrols following this incident. We regularly communicate safety recommendations to our students and employee community.”
Boston Police said they are actively investigating the assault.
Anyone with information is urged to contact Boston Police detectives at 617-343-4571.
Anonymous tips may be submitted through the CrimeStoppers Tip Line at 1-800-494-TIPS, by texting the word “TIP” to CRIME (27463) or online at this website.
Photos and videos related to the investigation can also be submitted anonymously through CrimeStoppers.
Police said the department “strictly protects the identities of those who wish to provide information anonymously.”
The weekend attack happened one month after Boston Mayor Michelle Wu appeared on “The Daily Show” and said Boston is the safest major city in the country.
“We’re the safest city because we’re safe for everyone,” Wu said on the late-night TV show.
This is a developing story. Check back for updates as more information becomes available.
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