COLUMBIA — A 22-year-old man fought off three men who attacked him and attempted to take his wallet and cell phone Sunday afternoon.
The man was walking at 3 p.m. when three men approached him in the north parking lot of First Christian Church, 101 N. Tenth St., according to a press release from the Columbia Police Department.
The victim told police that one assailant hit him in the back of his head, according to the release. The man — whom police have not identified — then turned around and fought the assailant as the other two men attacked him until he fell to the ground.
The men continued to kick and hit the 22-year-old man in his abdomen and attempted to take his cell phone and wallet, police said, but he fought back and was able to keep his possessions.
The three men stopped attacking him and ran eastbound away from the parking lot, the release stated.
The suspects are described as two white males and one black male and are all in their late teens to early twenties. The victim described the men as being between 5’10” and 6’10” and as having thin builds, according to police. The black male was wearing a black hooded sweatshirt and all of the suspects were said to be wearing “baggy” clothing, according to the release.
The victim received injuries to his hands but did not require medical attention.
Anyone with information can contact Crimestoppers at 875tips.com.