Teens arrested after beating leaves 16-year-old in critical condition

Six teenage males have been arrested on suspicion of attempted murder for allegedly assaulting a 16-year-old male in Berkeley on Sunday, police said.

The 16-year-old suffered life-threatening injuries in the attack and remains in critical condition at a hospital, Berkeley police spokesman Officer Byron White said today.

Officers responded shortly after 5 p.m. Sunday to multiple calls about a group attacking someone on the ground in the 1200 block of Ashby Avenue near Mabel Street, White said.

Officers who were nearby arrived quickly to find the 16-year-old boy unconscious on the pavement, according to White.

While medical personnel attended to the teen, other officers spotted the group believed to be linked to the attack walking on Heinz Avenue toward San Pablo Avenue, White said.

When officers attempted to detain the group, they fled by running into the neighborhood just west of San Pablo Avenue, White said.

Officers immediately formed a perimeter around the area and conducted a block-by-block search for the suspects. They eventually located and arrested six teenagers in connection with the attack, he said.

Police identified four of the suspects as three 18-year-olds from Berkeley — Aaron Meredith, Emauj Roos and Danari Williams — and 19-year-old Caleb Williams of Oakland.

Police also arrested two juvenile boys, a 17-year-old from Berkeley and a 15-year-old from San Leandro.

White said the case remains under investigation. Berkeley police are asking anyone with information about the crime to call the department at (510) 981-5741.