Four teenagers have been arrested in connection with the videotaped beating of a Drexel University graduate student

Stephanie Abrams:

Veteran detective Lt. John Walker called the attack vicious calling it one of the most chilling crimes he can remember.

“To watch it and look at and to see this assault take place is mind boggling to me,” said Lt. John Walker of the Philadelphia Police department, adding, “It is the first time that I have saw one ever recorded.”

A 30-year-old graduate student was returning to his apartment in University City on Friday afternoon around 1:30 p.m. when he was suddenly approached by the four suspects on 3600 block of Spring Garden Street, police said.

Authorities said the suspects beat the student, dislocating his jaw, before attempting to throw him out in front of a moving car.

Before the attacks, officials said the suspects allegedly discussed assaulting a random victim on camera.

“They talked to each other and said just pick someone out, pick anybody out and unfortunately, this poor student walking down the street was the first person they came in contact with,” explained Lt. Walker.

On the tape, the suspects allegedly took turns holding the camera during the assault.

“There is about two minutes of taping before they actually do the assault and prior to that, they are doing some rap competitions,” said Lt. Walker, adding, “Then somewhere in that area, there is the video of the assault.”

All four suspects, 18-year-old Tyrez Osbourne, two 17-year-olds, and a 16-year-old were students at University City. School officials said all four have been expelled.

Osbourne spoke with CBS 3 by telephone while in custody. He claimed that while he is seen on the video tape, he never laid a hand on the victim.

“I seen the boy punch the man, I do not even know his name. He punched him and they definitely assaulted him,” said Osbourne adding, “I never did anything and they recorded it and I am not even on camera doing anything. That is why I do not understand why I am here.”

Osbourne’s mother, Mae, was shocked and did not believe that her son was involved in the attack.

“I know my son would not be involved, he is not that kind of person,” she said.

The Drexel grad student has been released from the hospital after being treated for his injuries. The victim, who is originally from Haiti, told police that he wants to return to his native country because he is too frightened to live in Philadelphia.

In response to the attack, Drexel University officials have increased security in the area.

The four have been charged with attempted murder, conspiracy, and related offenses.

Additionally, police are looking into the possibility that the suspects were involved in a separate beating.

3 Teens Held in Drexel Beating

4 accused in taped attack on Drexel student