Police: 3 suspects in DC convenience store employee assault identified by family

D.C. police say thanks to the help of family members, they have identified three of the suspects sought in an attack of a convenience store worker that was captured on surveillance video.

Police released the video last Friday of the seven persons of interest. People in the neighborhood told FOX 5 that those involved in the attack were neighborhood kids and they are believed to be about high school-aged.

The group was seen inside the store attempting to steal candy from Mike's Market located in the 4200 block of Benning Road in Northeast D.C back on Dec. 29. But when the store clerk attempts to stop them, the suspects end up assaulting the employee.

The clerk told FOX 5 that he had to go to the hospital and needed eight stitches in his head after the attack.

Police say family members brought three of those suspects into a D.C. police station to be questioned by investigators. It is a decision that police are praising.

"The biggest takeaway from this is that family members are willing to hold others accountable for their actions," said Metropolitan Police Department spokesperson Dustin Sternbeck. "And again, that will just make the District of Columbia a safer place to be and that's the ultimate goal of the police department."

Police say at this point, no one has been charged, but they are questioning the three people that were brought in. They also say this case shows the value of surveillance images, and when they are good, they can help identify people and hold them accountable.