U. senior assaulted at 39th and Spruce

A University senior was assaulted by three men Friday morning at 2:50 a.m. on the 3900 block of Spruce Street, University Police said yesterday. University Police Lieutenant Susan Holmes said the student reported to police that three men approached him as he was walking down the street. The men proceeded to punch the student in the neck and chest area, Holmes said. After a few minutes, the three assailants jumped into a white jeep and fled west on Spruce Street and then north on 41st Street, Holmes said. Holmes added that the student was bruised, but refused medical treatment. The police report did not specify what provoked the assault and police do not have any suspects in the case at this time. In an unrelated incident, two juveniles stabbed each other during a fight near the Dental School at 40th and Irving streets Friday afternoon at 2:50 p.m., University Police said yesterday. Officers responded to a call over police radio and found a large crowd of people gathered at the scene, Holmes said. The first boy was stabbed five times and taken to the Children's Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania. The second had a minor stab wound on his arm and was also taken to CHOP, where he was later released, Holmes said. Lydia Sermons, a CHOP spokesperson, said that the boy who was stabbed five times is 16 years old and is currently in fair condition. She added that he was stabbed in the chest. Holmes said that the two boys apparently knew each other, but the police report did not say why the fight occurred.