Homeless Population in Danger

March 4, 2008 — -- Unprovoked attacks against the homeless are on the rise, according to the National Coalition for the Homeless, and these incidents aren't just happening in coastal big cities, but in varied locations around the country.

Most of the time, the aggressors are younger than 25 years old. ABC's affiliates have been covering these stories; click on the headline links below to find out more about each one.

Suspect Sought for Attempting to Set Man on FirePhiladelphia, Nov. 29, 2007

Vicious attack against a homeless manNew York, Oct. 5, 2007

Homeless Beating Gets Local Teen 10-Year Jail SentenceMerritt Island, Fla., Oct. 5, 2007

Three Charged In PB County Homeless BeatingWest Palm Beach, Fla., Aug. 10, 2007

L.A. Teens Taped Homeless Beatings on Cell PhonesLos Angeles, July 17, 2007

Unexpected Plea Made By Teen In Homeless BeatingDaytona Beach, Fla., March 31, 2007

Big Break In Taped Homeless BeatingSan Francisco, March 20, 2006

Videotaped Homeless Beating VerdictCorpus Christi, Texas, Oct. 30, 2007

Homeless shooting victim sues OSU fratCorvallis, Ore., Oct. 14, 2006

Two Convicted For Murder Of Homeless WomanBerkeley, Calif., Sept. 25, 2006

15-Year Old Sentenced to Clean Bed Pans/Animal Shelters 7-Days a WeekCorpus Christi, Texas, Sept. 7, 2007

Police Search for Boys Responsible for Homeless BeatingFort Lauderdale, Fla., September 2006

Police: Teens Charged In Homeless Beatings May Have Attacked 2 MoreFort Lauderdale, Fla., Feb. 21, 2006

3 Homeless Men Beaten, 1 Fatally Fort Lauderdale, Fla., Jan. 12, 2006

Teens Plead Not Guilty In Homeless AttacksCleveland, Aug. 9, 2003

Random Attack Has Neighborhood On EdgeTacoma, Wash., May 29, 2001