Gang Beating Video Goes Viral; Police Investigate

ATLANTA - Police are investigating after amateur video of a brutal beating in Atlanta is getting nationwide attention.

The graphic video posted on worldstarhiphop.com went viral in a matter of hours. A man is shown violently assaulted and beaten while leaving a corner store.

The attackers are heard yelling gay slurs at the victim as they punch, kick him and even hit him with a tire.

Atlanta police say it happened in southwest Atlanta on McDaniel Street in the Pittsburgh community.

“At this point we would like the victim to come forward and speak with our investigators and also any witnesses to come forward and speak to us,” said Atlanta Police Officer John Chafee.

APD detectives were in the store this afternoon looking at surveillance video and interviewing employees.

In the video, the attackers mention Jack City. APD says that's a local gang they are familiar with.

Joyce Billings has lived in the neighborhood since 1942 and says violent attacks and fights happen daily in front of this story.

“It hurts you till your heart aches and for them to do and they do it everyday and they think its funny but its not funny to us because we got to live out here,” said Billings.

APD says no police report has been filed in the attack, but neighborhood leaders like State Representative Ralph Long say they won't put up with it.

“A person ought to be able to shop in a store and not be able to get gang-banged, beat up by a group of thugs,” said Long.

The United States attorney says they are also investigating this attack to see if it violates the federal hate crimes statute.

Police are looking for information on who the attackers are and who the victim is. They are also asking that anyone who witnessed the attack to come forward.