Police are searching for a group of teens accused of beating two women in a Halloween attack that may have been inspired by the popular “Purge” film series.
Jessica Kelly and Bonnie Moran told NBC10 they were returning from a Halloween party, walking on Oakmont and Erdrick Streets in the Mayfair section of the city, when a group of 11 to 15 teenagers approached them.
“We were walking arm-in-arm, like most girls do, and we hear them say, ‘Look at those ugly lesbians,’” Moran said.
The women, who are not gay, said the teens then shouted homophobic slurs at them before attacking them.
“Taunted, stalked, followed on the street and then attacked,” Kelly said. “On top of that, robbed!”
The women told NBC10 the teens repeatedly punched, kicked and stomped them for five minutes. Moran suffered a concussion and injuries to her neck, and Kelly suffered two fractured ribs. As they attacked, they said, the teens referenced the 2013 horror movie “The Purge.”
“All I kept hearing was, ‘Purge! Purge! Do it! Do it! The Purge,’” Moran said.
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Both the original film and its 2014 sequel depict a night in which crime is legal for 12 hours without any consequences. Police have not confirmed whether the attackers were actually inspired by the movies.
In August, rumors spread that attacks inspired by the films were coming to Philadephia. Those rumors were debunked, however.
A 16-year-old girl and 18-year-old man were both arrested in connection with the attack. Both teens are charged with robbery, assault and reckless endangerment. Police continue to search for the other teens involved.
If you have any information on the incident, please call Philadelphia Police.
