3 suspects in custody following attack on Philadelphia crossing guard

PHILADELPHIA (WPVI) -- Three suspects are in custody after police say they assaulted a Philadelphia crossing guard in the Strawberry Mansion neighborhood.

It happened back on November 30, 2023, around 3:40 p.m., on the 2800 block of Cecil B. Moore Avenue.

Investigators say the altercation began when a student who had just been assaulted approached the crossing guard and asked to use her phone to call a parent.

"After this transpires, people get angry that the crossing guard is assisting with something that happened on the corner. So three individuals approach the crossing guard," said Captain Frank Banford with Philadelphia police.

Action News obtained a video of the attack, which showed three women standing around the victim, arguing at the corner near the William D. Kelley School.

The altercation went on for several minutes until a woman dressed in all black took off her jacket and threw it on the ground. Moments later, the woman in black started swinging at the crossing guard.

"She tries to get on the bus to get away, they drag her off the bus, drag her to the ground, start beating her, punching her, kicking her while she's on the ground," said Banford.

Police say the 29-year-old crossing guard was knocked to the ground, punched, and stomped on.

She suffered from swelling to her nose, left hand, right leg and bruising to her head and face due to this incident.

Two of those three suspects, 26-year-old Imani Thomas and 18-year-old Destiny Sanders, were taken into custody on Wednesday.

A 15-year-old, who was also involved in the assault, turned herself in to authorities on Wednesday as well.

Police say they have the public to thank for finding these suspects.

"This hits home with us and I want to thank the public for realizing that," said Banford.

He is now sending a message of gratitude to the community for helping investigators find the suspects.

"We put out something on social media and within two hours, we have multiple phone calls identifying these three individuals," he said.

Meanwhile, parents and other concerned residents are wishing the crossing guard well.

"I hope she has a full recovery and she can get back to work," said Darnell Johnson from Strawberry Mansion.

"Thank you for protecting the students," added Ms. Brooks, from Strawberry Mansion.

They also hope that this sets a precedent to help solve future crimes.

"The people will have to speak up. They have to be brave," said Johnson. "Maybe we're going to have to step up as a community to show them the training they need."

Officers say though the crossing guard is traumatized by the incident, she is out of the hospital and working to recover.

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