AP
Charlie Young Jr. was beaten to death by a mob of nearly 20 youths.

MILWAUKEE — A mob of boys lay in wait for a man before using a TV wrestling move and everything from broomsticks to strollers to bludgeon him to death, according to their confessions to police.

After going to a friend's home he thought would be a safe haven, Charlie Young Jr., 36, was attacked with metal poles, 2-by-4's and other implements late Sunday by an ever-growing mob.

"This group of kids just kept getting bigger as word spread throughout the neighborhood," Assistant District Attorney Joy Hammond said. "It's chilling."

Young, who was found unconscious and bleeding from head to toe on his friend's porch, died Tuesday after he was taken off life support.

Milwaukee County District Attorney E. Michael McCann said 13 children and two adults were in custody and expected to be charged in the death. Under Wisconsin law, those 17 or older are considered adults.

	AP
	Monday: Blood remains splattered on the front porch of the home where Young was beaten.

McCann said prosecutors had not yet decided what charges to file, but were considering murder.

In statements to police obtained by The Associated Press, the boys ages 10 to 18 gave graphic details of the beating inflicted on Young a man they knew by street names of "June" and "380."

A 16-year-old described how he jumped back each time he struck Young with a shovel handle so blood wouldn't get on his clothes. Eventually, the shovel handle split in two as he bashed Young over the head.

He said he stopped on his way home to dump his blood-soaked shoes into a sewer manhole.

One of the boys said he held the already bloody Young in a wrestling move called a "cripple cross face hold" so others could beat Young.

AP
Tuesday: This is the home on 21st Lane in Milwaukee where Charlie Young Jr., was attacked.

Several suspects have records for drug or burglary charges, and some claim gang affiliations, although police say they do not believe the attack was gang-related. A few suspects are teen fathers.

The mother of a 13-year-old in custody said in a telephone interview that she hoped her son won't be sent to prison. She said he hit Young once with a stick.

"Don't take a baby away," she said. "He hasn't seen even half of his life."

Juvenile Court Commissioner Dennis Cimpl ordered three more children held Wednesday, saying they were a threat to the community. None of their parents appeared in court Wednesday.

A 16-year-old was released Wednesday because prosecutors said there was not enough evidence against him.

Police said the youths beat Young after he chased a 10-year-old boy who hit him with an egg and punched a 14-year-old boy who intervened.

The 14-year-old boy told police he didn't know the beating might kill Young.

"I feel kind of bad because I did not know he was hurt that bad to make him die," the boy wrote. "I do not want him to die because my tooth is not more important than his life is. I'm sorry."