Fugitive Task Force working 24/7 to find attackers in videotaped beating

None — Channel 2 Action News has learned police have identified three men they believe attacked a young man while shouting gay slurs in southwest Atlanta.

Both Mayor Kasim Reed and Atlanta Police Chief George Turner have pledged 24-hour support to arrest the suspects in this case.

Channel 2's Ryan Young spent Friday at Atlanta Police Headquarters where officers told him tips have been coming in and people are starting to talk about the beating.

"I think this is one of those situations where we certainly need to reach out to Brandon White and say 'You are a treasured part of our community. You did not deserve this to happen," Atlanta City Council President Ceasar Mitchel said.

Mitchel told Young he was encourage by the work that the police have been doing to try and capture the men seen in a video beating White, 20, outside a corner store in Atlanta's Pittsburgh neighborhood last weekend.

Mitchel said he believes they all need to face justice.

"I was outraged. This is a despicable act committed by three depraved young men. I believe that when we find them, we will prosecute them to the fullest extent of the law. They deserve that," Mitchel said.

Turner confirmed Thursday night, Crimes Stopper tips and good police work have helped investigators identify at least two of the attackers.

Late Friday afternoon, one of Young's sources told him they believe they know who all three of the attackers are and the police department is working to secure warrants for the men.

Atlanta's fugitive task force is currently searching the streets for the men.

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"This conduct is not going to be tolerated and that is why we are raising the reward money to $15,000," Reed said.

Activists plan to take over the corner of Delevan and McDaniel streets, where the beating happened, on Saturday for a rally.

So far, 170 people have confirmed they will join the march against hate.

"There's been an outcry of support from the community and it's been very humbling for myself and others who have kind of taken the lead on this, to make sure that Brandon White's story gets told. But then there's been some other elements that have been unpleasant," Devin Barrington Ward of Change Atlanta said.

Atlanta police are working with the FBI to see if the suspects could be charged with a hate crime.

Anyone with information on the attack or may recognize any of the people involved can call Crime Stoppers at 404-577-8477.
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