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A 17-year-old youth, in jured in a fight at Burger King, 4910 North, Sunday, May 6, returned home Thur sday, May 17, one week after surgery was performed at St. Anne's hospital to correct a skull indention. Mark Ruffel, a painter from north Austin, was believed struck by a tire iron or other heavy object during the altercation which in volved several other youths shortly after midnight in the restaurant parking lot A 16-year-old Prosser high student, who belongs to the Chi West street gang, has been charged with aggravated battery and referred to juvenile court. One of Ruffel’s com panions, Michael Flynn, 17, or north Austin, was not as seriously injured, but was treated for head lacerations and released from St. Anne’s hospital Another companion, David Leahy, 16, or North Austin, was not injured because he ran into the restaurant for his own protection and to notify police when he saw ap proximately seven youths with tire irons in the parking lot after having heard the side of the van in which they were seated being struck by a club or tire iron. After Leahy stepped from the van, he was followed by Flynn who was then assaulted by several youths, police said. Kuffel, hearing the fight, then left the van Because he realized they were outnum bered. Kuffel had in his hand a “sword” which he im mediately dropped when he was confronted on a youth armed with a chrome revolver. He was then struck several times about the head and fell unconsciousness. Ruffel and his friends have had no gang involvement, police said, but the fight may have been related to a con flict between the Chi West and Jousters, according to the gang intelligence unit. The altercation may have been the result of a mistaken belief by one of the Chi Westers that Ruffel and his friends were Jousters, police said.
Newspaper Details
News Journal
Chicago, Illinois, US
Wed, May 23, 1973
Page 5
Full Page
Clipped by
Michael F.
