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Youths Allegedly Assault Homeless Using BB Gun, Rocks In Lowell

LOWELL (CBS) -- Three youths are facing charges after allegedly throwing rocks and firing a BB gun at a group of homeless people in Lowell.

Police responded to the railroad bridge near Fletcher Street and Dutton Street and saw the youths -- a 14-year-old and two 12-year-olds  --  throwing rocks and shooting at the homeless who were living there. Three people suffered minor injuries.

"It's tough enough that these people have to live the way that they do, under the bridges and trying to get shelter, for this to happen is just degrading," says Lowell Police Capt. Tim Crowley.

Police say the BB guns resembled a real Smith & Wesson model handgun used by Lowell police.

"If you put them side by side," Capt. Crowley says, "you can't tell them apart."

The youths ran after they saw the police officer. Police say one of the youths threw a rock at the officer before all three ran away. They were arrested shortly after and are facing multiple assault charges.

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