COLUMBIA — Two 12-year-olds were assaulted Friday night by six or seven male children who wanted their Halloween candy, according to a Columbia police news release.
The two boys were approached by the suspects — whom the children described as being about 9 to 11 years old — while walking in the 4200 block of Baurichter Drive, according to the release.
Police said the assault began when one suspect threw a rock and struck one of the boys in the head, demanding the victims' Halloween candy. The suspects then hit one of the boys in the head with a BB gun and punched him in the face, knocking out a tooth. The other boy was struck in the head with an unknown object, causing minor injury.
But the two hung onto their candy and ran to a nearby house, where the resident called police. According to the release, the victims' guardians declined medical attention for them.
The suspects were wearing tank tops or sleeveless T-shirts; two wore backpacks on their chests, police said. They ran away before police arrived.
Anyone with information regarding this incident is encouraged to call CrimeStoppers at 875-8477.