Two are 16 years old and the others are 13, 14 and 15, said Officer Chris Amos, a police spokesman. He did not release their names, citing their ages. By the end of the day, he said, investigators will have secured petitions charging the youths as juveniles.

They are believed to be the youths depicted on a digital recording that another youth made of the incident. It shows several people rush at Damin O’Rourke, swinging on him and pushing him from all sides. Damin was hit repeatedly, knocked off his feet and kicked in the face. His face was bloodied; he suffered scrapes and bruises.

Damin’s family released the video of the attack to the news media, which helped the case get national attention.

The offense carries a potential penalty of a year imprisonment and a $2,500 fine.

"Investigators have determined that a non-race-related altercation took place prior to the assault," the city police said in a news release. "Investigators believe that this earlier altercation escalated to the assault caught on videotape. Investigators have further determined that this incident was not gang-related in nature."

The video depicts several black youths beating Damin, who is white.

Asked if he thought the attack was racial in nature, Councilman W. Randy Wright would not rule out the possibility.

"I don't think you can close the door on that until the investigation is complete," he said.

Wright represents a portion of the area where the attack occurred, and for more than a year he has been advocating stronger efforts to fight crime in Ocean View.

Virginian-Pilot staff writer Harry Minium contributed to this report.

Matthew Roy, (757) 446-2540, matthew.roy@pilotonline.com

Background: Police investigating videotaped attack on Ocean View teen

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