Police tell Action News that as many as 10 teenage girls, 14 to 17-years-old, were said to have been involved in this terrible assault. Investigators say they expect to make at least one arrest overnight.
Monday night Action News spoke with the mother and aunt of one of the girls assaulted. So far the victim has required 114 stitches after being slashed all over her face.
The victim's aunt, Rhonda Carson told reporters, "It took 60 stitches to put her nose back on her face. 20 stitches under her nose. 30 stitches to the side of her face. Two to her ear, two to her eye. They still have not stapled the back of her head or her hands."
The mother and aunt of 15-year-old Shakia West say they are overwhelmed with anger and concern. Shakia is being treated at Children's Hospital after being slashed all over her body with either a straight edge razor or a box cutter.
Shakia was one of two girls attacked while waiting at a bus stop in the 4800 block of Spruce Street, just a block away from West Philadelphia High School where the girls are students.
Shortly after classes were dismissed at 3 p.m. the girls walked to the bus stop. That's when police say a Dodge Charger pulled up and at least 10 girls got out and began to assault Shakia's friend - a 16-year-old girl who was the real target of the attack. Shakia jumped in to help and was severely wounded.
The 16-year-old told police she has had problems and fights before with the girl who led the attack. "Our victim believes that being a new transfer into this particular school, that the people just didn't like her there. And therefore they engaged in an argument, which subsequently led to, what she describes as a fair fistfight," said Lt. John Walker of the Philadelphia Police.
But on Monday weapons were used in an unprovoked attack that stunned an eye witness who tried to break it up. Lawrence Holman tells Action News, "We saw a gang of girls jumping on two other girls. It just seemed like something out of a movie."
The 16-year-old target was slashed in her face and right below her chin, but her cuts are said to be superficial. Meanwhile, Shakia West is in much worst shape.
