According to the Queens DA’s office, two 16-year-old girls face a number of charges in connection with the beating of a 15-year-old girl earlier this month at an Astoria subway station.
The two 16-year-old suspects, both from Elmhurst, were arraigned on a criminal complaint Tuesday in connection with the June 2 attack on the girl at Astoria’s 46th Street subway station. Prosecutors claim they all attend the same school, adjacent William Cullen Bryant High School. The suspects face a variety of charges, including attempted gang assault, robbery, and assault. They have also been charged with petit grand larceny.
According to authorities, the victim, a sophomore, left William Cullen Bryant High School at 3 p.m. on Monday and was targeted by the defendants, who were both high school juniors, and others. The group allegedly followed the 15-year-old girl to the neighboring 46th Street M and R metro stations.
According to prosecutors, the woman was attacked by a crowd of youngsters inside the station’s stairs, who punched, kicked, and stomped on her head, face, and body. The woman was also tased during the assault, and others of the group tried to steal a bookbag she was carrying, according to the criminal complaint.
The woman was brought to the hospital for treatment of her injuries.
“What an outrageous display of bullying and brutality,” Queens District Attorney Melinda Katz said in a statement announcing the charges. “I will hold students accountable for this behavior to the extent the law allows. We are grateful that the victim is recovering. The investigation is continuing into the conduct of other individuals.”
Judge Bruna DiBiase ordered the two charged teenagers to appear in court on June 18. If convicted of the highest offense, they may face up to 15 years in prison.