Police seek help identifying 4 wanted in connection with violent South End assault

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The search continues for a group of people police say beat a man who was left to die in the South End.

The victim's father said his 22-year-old son, Chris Smith, was beaten unconscious on Harrison Avenue and Fay Street in the South End just before 3 a.m. Saturday morning.

"He had brain swelling, he had to get emergency brain surgery," Smith's father said. "He's cut from here to the top of his head, it was life and death."

Boston Police posted Wednesday night asking the public to help identify the people believed to be involved in the assault. On Thursday morning, police told Boston 25 News they "no longer need help from the public to identify the photos."

"I saw police here, and they had this area here taped off," Boston native Tony Williams said. "On the ground, they had a bunch of cones."

Smith's father said his son was out with his friends eating Mexican food when they got into a fight.

"Some people accused him about coming on to some girl, which didn't happen, and they started beating up on him and his friends," Smith's father said.

When police arrived, witnesses told them a group of three white men assaulted the victim, punching him multiple times before slamming him to the ground.

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Now, the family is left looking for justice to be served after the violent incident.

"We are very thankful he's alive," Smith's father said. "Obviously very scared over the weekend, and it was tough."

Other business owners in the area told Boston 25 News they've seen the four suspects that are wanted.

Anyone with information is asked to contact Boston Police detectives at 617-343-9529 or anonymously through the CrimeStoppers Tip Line at 1-800-494-TIPS or by texting the word 'TIP' to CRIME (27463).