Father, daughter charged in South Philadelphia baseball bat attack, shooting

SOUTH PHILADELPHIA (WPVI) -- Police have arrested and charged a father and daughter duo in a violent attack on a man in South Philadelphia that was caught on surveillance video.

36-year-old Rita D'Amato and her father 62-year-old Carmen D'Amato turned themselves in on Friday night. They both face a list of charges including aggravated assault.

The attack happened last week on the 100 block of Carpenter Street.

Police say Rita D'Amato struck the 36-year-old victim in the stomach with the bat while her father Carmen opened fire when the victim tried to run.

The victim was shot twice in the leg and the suspects fled.

Before the attack, police say one of the attackers yelled, 'You know what you did!"

Carmen, a member of the Mummers Hall of Fame and former captain of the South Philly Vikings, is well known in the neighborhood.

A woman entering the home he shares with his daughter, declined to comment on Saturday.

Meanwhile neighbors expressed relief amid news of the arrests.

"I'm glad there was an arrest made, I'm glad it wasn't a random act, and it sounds like the guy was targeted," said Lindsay Liszewski.

Police sources say the victim had drugs in his system, initially claimed he didn't know his attackers, and was not cooperating with detectives.

There were a rash of car break-ins in the area but police have not confirmed whether they are related to the attack.

Some neighbors are holding their judgment until they find out the motive.

"I'll tell you the truth, if the guy was breaking into cars, he deserved to get hit with a baseball bat - I agree with that. But if it wasn't him, God bless the D'Amatos," said Stephen Foster.

Both Carmen and Rita D'Amato are charged with aggravated assault and related offenses.