The 45-year-old unhoused man who was on life support after five teens allegedly beat him in an unprovoked, social media-inspired attack last week in Binghamton is now dead. Police say he was declared dead at a local hospital Tuesday afternoon. As his family honors his memory, so does his community, all while calling for change.
What You Need To Know
Five teens are charged with murder in the second degree in connection with the alleged attack
All five are being housed in a secure juvenile detention facility
The alleged attack has sparked a call for change from advocates and members of the Binghamton community
Friends remember Peter Bennedum as a man with a good heart.
“He was a funny brother, real funny and a wise man. He never looked for trouble,” Gilbert “Nuke” Smalls III said, who met Bennedum at a shelter.
Bennedum died after being on life support following an alleged attack. According to Binghamton Police, five teens assaulted him last Monday, recorded the attack and posted it on social media.
Four of the teens were originally charged with attempted murder in the second degree, but since his death, the charges have been amended to murder in the second degree, and the fifth teen has been charged as well.
“It’s really, really unfortunate what happened to Peter, and there’s so many levels and layers to it,” Sana Andrews said.
Andrews is a co-founder of GloryShines Foundation, a nonprofit dedicated to combatting poverty and societal hardships. She says since Bennedum’s death, the community has come together to lift each other up.
“It’s unfortunate that something like this had to happen for people to come together a little more, but whatever it takes,” Andrews said, “People are going to show up for people, so it’s inevitable.”
GloryShines installed a blessings box Tuesday during a vigil for Bennedum and has been keeping it stocked with foods and toiletries since.
“They’re calling it Peter’s box, in honor of Peter,” Andrews said.
Andrews says providing these resources can only do so much and that there needs to be systemic change.
“It’s coming from elites, it’s coming from people who are supposed to make you know the decisions for the betterment of everyone in the community,” Andrews said. “And when they’re not honoring and showing people basic dignity, how can you expect children to, how can you expect their parents to, when that’s what we’re being fed all the time, subconsciously and consciously.”
Police say Peter Bennedum, 45, died after being attacked last week. (Peter Bennedum Facebook)
Friends who now mourn Bennedum say it’s that basic human dignity that could have prevented this from happening.
“No matter where you live, what color you are, that shouldn’t be happening at all, and that’s it,” Nuke said.
Spectrum News 1 reached out to Binghamton Police and the District Attorney’s office for more information on the new charges but did not immediately hear back.