Brutal Beating Of Woodbridge, NJ Cop Caught On Tape Following Winter Classic Hockey Game
NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) - Police in Philadelphia have released a video of a fight between Rangers and Flyers fans Monday night following the Winter Classic hockey game.
The incident took place outside Philadelphia's iconic Geno's Steaks Monday at about 7:15 p.m.
1010 WINS' John Montone reports
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According to our colleagues at CBS Philadelphia, police say the incident began when some Flyers fans stopped a window washer who happened to be passing by.
Philadelphia police say the Flyers fans gave the window washer a few bucks and told him to squirt water in the Rangers fans' faces.
Things escalated from there, until finally three Flyers fans were punching and beating two Rangers fans, knocking one of them unconscious.
Philadelphia police released an edited video of the fight on YouTube.
WCBS 880's Levon Putney On The Story
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The video shows a man in a Flyers jersey throwing the first punch seen on tape. When one of the Rangers fans tries to intervene, he's thrown to the ground and surrounded by the three Flyers fans who pummel him.
One of the men who was beaten is a decorated Marine and Woodbridge, N.J. police officer. Neal Auricchio, 33, was taken to an area hospital and required stitches to close his wounds. He's now recovering at his home in New Jersey.
"He's upset about what happened. It was a tough situation. He's a life-long Ranger fan and he had an opportunity to go to a special event and things just got carried away," his father, Neal Auricchio, Sr. "Sports is supposed to be a good time, you go there, you root for your team, you have fun with your friends and then you go home. This kind of stuff should never happen at a sporting event, there's no justification for this at a sporting event, ever."
1010 WINS' Steve Sandberg reports
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Auricchio, Sr. said his son was "badly banged up" but is "doing OK."
Woodbridge Mayor John McCormack has known the Auricchio family for years and said the officer is making progress.
If you have any information about the incident, police are asking for you to call them at 215-686-3013.
For more coverage, check our colleagues at CBSPhilly.com.
