Worcester Police Warning Of 'Knockout Game' Attacks
WORCESTER (CBS) --- Police are warning residents after three recent "knockout" attacks on city streets.
The three similar attacks happened on Main, Millbury and Chatham streets over the course of the last month. Police believe it's all part of the so-called "knockout game" which refers to a blitz style attack on random unsuspecting strangers with the goal of knocking that person out with one punch.
In each attack, the victims were walking alone when they were approached by a male whom they had never met. The man then punched the victims in the face or head with such force it was clear the person wanted to inflict serious injury, police said.
Michael Davis, 56, was attacked on Main Street earlier this month. He says he was walking down the street on a Friday morning to grab a cup of coffee when someone came up behind him and punched him in the face.
"I felt like I was being hit with something. not just a hand. It felt really powerful," he said.
Davis suffered five facial fractures and lost several teeth. Two weeks later, he still has a visible black eye. He wants people to understand that the knockout game has serious consequences. He feels like he could have been killed.
"Who would go around just hitting somebody randomly, just hurting them," he said.
Another 56-year-old man and a 23-year-old man reported they were victims of similar attacks.
Police are not sure whether the attacks were carried out by one suspect, or different people.
Police are urging area residents to be aware of their surroundings, especially when walking alone.
WBZ-TV's Lauren Leamanczyk contributed to this report.
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