Smithfield Police are looking for as many as a dozen suspects who beat a man playing ball at Smithfield Community Park, located at 600 Booker Dairy Road, adjacent to Smithfield-Selma High.
The incident was reported to police on Sunday.
A 24 year-old Four Oaks man said he was at one of the ball courts when he was approached by as many as 12 young African-American males and females.
Police Captain R.K. Powell said a handgun was brandished and they asked the victim if he knew a particular person. When the man replied he did not know that person, he was knocked to the ground where he was punched and kicked repeatedly.
The victim sustained non-life threatening injuries in the attack.
The incident was not immediately reported to police.
Captain Powell said the assault appears to have been isolated.
Anyone who may have witnessed the incident or has information that could help police investigators is encouraged to contact the Smithfield Police Tip Line at 919-989-8835.
