![Attack on teenage girls in Astoria Park videotaped on cell phones [With Videos]](https://qns.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/04/astoriaparkbrawl_web_2013_04_19_q2_freelance_z.jpg?w=405)
By Karen Frantz
Police have arrested five suspects in connection with a mob attack on two 14-year-old girls in Astoria Park that was videotaped, said City Councilman Peter Vallone (D-Astoria).
Vallone said the video helped identify the youths allegedly involved in the attack.
“As pathetic as it is that people think they need to post these videos, as a prosecutor, I can tell you it is extremely helpful to us,” he said.
He said the youths will likely face felony or misdemeanor assault charges, depending on their ages.
A group of teenagers attacked the two victims last Friday while other teens videotaped the assault on their cell phones, the mother of one of the victims said.
Graphic video of the assault was uploaded to the Internet and shows several teenage girls hitting and kicking the victims in the park, at 21 Hoyt Ave. At one point one of the attackers picks up an orange traffic cone and hurls it at one of the girls.
One of the victims Samantha Gonzalez suffered a fractured nose and multiple bruises, said her mother, Nina Kunicki.
Kunicki said she was speaking out in hopes she could prevent future attacks on others.
“They could have killed my daughter,” she said. “And if I don’t talk they could do it to another child.”
Reach reporter Karen Frantz by e-mail at kfrantz@cnglocal.com or by phone at 718-260-4538.
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