Teens Tape Beating of Schoolmate

Seven teenagers have been arrested for beating up a screaming schoolmate in a Philly suburb and taping the attack on a cell phone. The victim is dragged on the ground, kicked and punched, stuffed up a tree and finally hung from a metal fence by his jacket. "They could have killed that kid, impaling him by the neck on that metal barrier," said the local police superintendent. "This kid was screaming for help and they beat him. It's bullying in America at its worst." The victim said he "tried to escape, but they attacked me and caught me again." The boy was not seriously injured and was aided by a passerby after his attackers left him.

The teens, who all attended an alternative Upper Darby high school with the victim, were tracked down after they posted their video on YouTube, reports CNN. "These thugs videotape themselves and then go on social network sites and become heroes," said the police superintendent. "These criminals have a sense of empowerment. The mentality is idiotic, but it helps us solve crimes." (More beatings stories.)