Louisville man claims mob of teens attacked him day before - WDRB 41 Louisville News

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) -- A string of assaults and robberies in downtown Louisville this weekend has police concerned. They know of 17 incidents from Saturday night, which include robbery, assault and criminal mischief.

Police say the trouble started near the Big Four Bridge at Waterfront Park, where a group of 200 teens gathered. A 13-year-old girl was assaulted and so was the man who tried to help her. When officers arrived, they say the teens dispersed and a created more problems downtown.

Jeffrey Gordon of Louisville says he was the victim of an attack in the same area the night before. Police say they haven't ruled out a connection.

"It was essentially a sucker punch, and I've seen people be knocked out that way," Gordon said about the incident. He says it happened while he and his partner walked down S. Preston Street at around 9:00 p.m. Saturday night.

"Noticed a group behind us, on a corner, about 25 to 30 people," Gordon said.

He went on to say about 10 teens split off from the larger group, coming toward them, then one teen punched the back of his partner's head. Police were called, but Gordon says no report was filed.

"I don't have any information about those. It is entirely possible there were instances Friday night," LMPD Police Chief Steve Conrad said when asked about any attacks before Saturday.

Gordon said, "In my mind, it happened the night before, but in a smaller group in the same area. So it was just frustrating and anger actually at that particular point that it's like, okay, well, couldn't it have been stopped?"

City officials have stepped up patrols in response to what happened over the weekend.
They say this string of incidents doesn't mean the city, or Waterfront Park, isn't safe.

"This was an extraordinarily unusual incident. Nothing like this has happened in decades so hopefully that will stay that way," Louisville Mayor Greg Fischer said.

Gordon says after what happened Friday, he'll be more cautious downtown. "I'm definitely going to keep my eyes open."

Police say people of different ages and ethnicities were victims of these crimes. One man in the crowd of 200 was arrested for having a gun with a scratched off serial number, but not assault.

Related:

• Mayor calls for calm after mob of teens assault, rob victims

• LMPD: Teens pulled gun from trash can at Big Four Bridge

• LMPD investigating string of attacks in downtown Louisville

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