Boing Boing: Social media users helped track down a gang of violent misfits

Some jerks decided to gay bash a couple out on the town. Here's how the Internet responded. Article by Rob Beschizza for Boing Boing Two gay men were savagely beaten last week in Philadelphia's Center City district by a group of 10-15 "clean-cut, well-dressed" people in their twenties. With only a blurry security video to go on, finding the attackers would have been a long shot were it not for Twitter, Facebook and the viral spread of a cheesy restaurant photo.

According to Philadelphia police, someone in the group subjected the men to "disparaging remarks about their sexual orientation". In the ensuing confrontation, the victims were held down and attacked, receiving punches to the face, head and body. One of the gang grabbed a victim's bag--containing a cellphone, wallet and credit cards. As police approached, the group fled.

oth of the victims were taken to hospital and treated for multiple injuries: one sustained fractures so severe he required facial surgery and had his jaw wired shut.

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