12 Youths, Some As Young As 12, Arrested After Sickening Assault On 34 Year Old Man

CLEVELAND — A dozen juveniles have been charged in connection with an "appalling" and "chaotic" incident at a Cleveland gas station in which a group attacked a man and fired guns before fleeing in stolen vehicles, officials said.

The attack occurred early Tuesday, around 12:40 a.m., when the group was captured on video beating a 34-year-old man, according to Cuyahoga County Prosecutor Michael O'Malley.

"When I watched this video early yesterday morning, I was disgusted and appalled watching the level of violence directed at someone who appears to be simply doing nothing but sitting outside of a gas station," O'Malley told reporters during a press briefing Wednesday.

Investigators do not believe that the group knew the victim, who was eventually able to retreat inside the gas station, O'Malley said.

"The man is lucky to be alive," O'Malley said.

Several minutes later, the "situation turns to complete chaos as dozens of bullets are fired indiscriminately" down the street, O'Malley said.

"It could have caused a great deal of destruction. Thankfully, no one was injured by these dozens of bullets," he said.

One suspect discharged a handgun 18 times, according to O'Malley. Four or five firearms are believed to have been at the scene, he said.

The juveniles, who ranged between the ages of 12 and 16, then fled the gas station in three stolen vehicles -- two Kias and a Hyundai -- the prosecutor's office said.