Police: 11-year-old boy robbed while sledding

DECATUR, Ga. - Decatur Police are searching for a trio of young assailants who attempted to rob an even younger victim.

Investigators told FOX 5 News the three boys, ages 12 to 13 years old, slammed the 11-year-old victim to the ground at 3rd Avenue and Gordon Street in the Oakhurst neighborhood on Wednesday around 4 p.m.

Decatur Police said the young victim had just finished sledding on the hill at the local school about four blocks away from where he ambushed.

"I don't know what to make of it because it's not something we experience here very often, especially on a snow day when kids are out screwing around sledding and everything," said Brian Manley, a concerned resident who lives near where the attack occurred.

Manley and other residents in the Oakhurst neighborhood are concerned.

Investigators said the two held the 11-year-old down while another boy, the same age as them, patted his pants pockets and went through his coat pockets.

"The kids are pretty young that were the attackers so that's very odd," said Manley.

Noah Knipfer, 10, who was walking near the sledding hill with his mother and sister, said he's not sure what he would do if attacked.

"If someone came up to me like that I would either run, I took martial arts," said Noah Knipfer.

Anna Knipfer, Noah's mother, hopes investigators find the three juveniles, described by authorities as white males, ages 12 to 13 years old, one holding an orange sled.

Police said the trio attempted to rob the 11-year-old but took off running when they discovered he had nothing of value to take.

"We live right up the street and I let my son walk to his friend’s houses a couple of blocks away and you know that could have been him," said Anna Knipfer.

She and other residents who spoke to FOX 5 News described the attack and attempted robbery as much more than bullying.

"I think it's a different level because you can't shake a kid down push him to the ground and try to go through his wallet and pockets, that's unacceptable," said Brian Manley.

"I don't know these kids I can't pass judgment on then maybe they just made a terrible choice," said Anna Knipfer.

Decatur Police are asking anyone with information to contact them.