A horrifying case out of Binghamton. NY has left an entire community shaken after five teenagers were charged with murder in the brutal beating death of a homeless man — an attack police say may have been tied to a disturbing social media trend.
Authorities say Peter Bennedum, 45, was viciously attacked by a group of teens on the night of April 27 near Carroll and Henry streets in downtown Binghamton.
According to the Binghamton Police Department, Bennedum was found critically injured after the assault and rushed to a hospital.
Police initially arrested four suspects that same night — two 14-year-olds and two 15-year-olds — and charged them with attempted murder.
Investigators say the victim was homeless at the time of the attack.
Tragically, Bennedum died on May 5 after his family made the painful decision to remove him from life support.
An autopsy later ruled his death a homicide.
Following his death, prosecutors upgraded the charges against the teens to second-degree murder.
Authorities then announced the arrest of a fifth suspect — a 13-year-old boy located in nearby Whitney Point.
He has also been charged with second-degree murder.
Police say the younger suspect is currently being held in a juvenile detention facility in Syracuse, while the other four suspects remain in custody at a juvenile center in Broome County.
Investigators believe the horrifying attack may be connected to an alleged social media trend in which homeless people are assaulted and the attacks are shared online.
That disturbing possibility has sparked outrage across the community and beyond.
As news of Bennedum’s death spread, hundreds of residents gathered for vigils honoring his life.
One sign held by mourners read: “Remember His Name: Peter Bennedum.”
Friends and community members described Bennedum as someone who mattered deeply to people around him despite his struggles.
Patrick McCann, who said he grew up with Bennedum, wrote an emotional Facebook tribute after the attack.
“He laid there for over two hours on the street before anyone helped him,” McCann claimed.
According to McCann, doctors performed emergency surgery in a desperate attempt to restore brain function, but the damage was too severe.
He also revealed that Bennedum’s loved ones faced heartbreaking financial struggles while trying to arrange funeral services.
“Don’t judge and be better humans,” McCann wrote. “You don’t know what’s going on behind the scenes.”
Local writer Traci Taylor also shared an emotional open letter after the tragedy, writing, “Children are accused of killing him. And every single part of that sentence seems impossible to process.”
She reminded readers that despite Bennedum being homeless, “he was still a human being. Someone knew him. Someone loved him.”
A funeral service for Bennedum is scheduled to take place in Newfield, with members of the public invited to attend.
Police say the investigation remains ongoing and are urging anyone with information to contact detectives.
If I had to guess, Blacks, they usually do this garbage.
Ah, AMERIKAN KIDS…. They just grow up so fast nowadays….
THIS IS DEMOCRAT NEW YORK….. let’s go easy on these poor “children”!!!!
They took almost life and they should get the adult penalty