Francesco Hounye, Florida Student, Attacked in London; Police Seek Attackers

Francesco Hounye, Florida Student, Attacked in London; Police Seek Attackers
(Metropolitan Police)
Zachary Stieber
10/23/2013
Updated:
7/18/2015

Francesco Hounye, a student in Florida, was attacked in London in June, and police have just released images of the suspects.

Hounye was on his way back to a friend’s home in Shadwell when a group of Asian men confronted them. The exchange quickly escalated, and one of the men grabbed the bottle Hounye was drinking from and smashed it against his face.

The group chased after Hounye after he started running, and then beat him.

He needed 23 stitches after the attack, and additional stitches for internal wounds.

“As a result of this incident I am now scared to go out on my own in London,” Hounye said at the time, reported the Daily Mail. “I am a visitor to the UK and was considering continuing my studies here but this incident has made me think twice.”

“I feel very emotional about the whole situation. I also now face the rest of my life with the permanent scarring that will be left on my face as a result of this attack,” he added. “Every time I look in the mirror from now on I will be reminded of this incident.”

Police haven’t been able to identify the suspects, prompting the release of images from CCTV recordings in the area.

“We believe the suspects picked a fight with the victim as he was obviously not from the local area and they took exception to the fact that he was a bit different,” said Detective Constable Ben Mott. “The victim has an Italian accent, his own style of dress and mannerisms and, when challenged by the Asian males, answered them back. They retaliated by grabbing the bottle and launching a vicious attack that has left him scarred for life.”

The suspects are described as Asians in their late teens to early 20s.

See additional CCTV images below.

Terrifying: The gang are seen to surround Mr Hounye, who was attacked with the glass bottle he had been holding

Different: Investigating officer, Detective Constable Ben Mott, said that police suspect the men picked a fight with Mr Hounye as 'he was obviously not from the local area'

Unsuspecting: Mr Hounye had been out for the night in the Brick Lane area of east London with a friend he had been staying with when he was attacked

Hunted: Police have released CCTV images of the attack to try to trace the gang, who were thought to be in their late teens or early 20s