The officers found four subjects involved in a heated discussion, and they asked the young men to sit on a wall near the sidewalk, Wolski said.
But a 17-year-old boy did not comply, and he rushed Benedict and threw punches at him, Wolski said. The other three youths then started attacking Carrico.
A state trooper and another Richmond officer arrived on scene, and two of the subjects fled on foot, police said.
Police apprehended two of the four youths, including the 17-year-old, police said.
The lieutenant was bruised up some during the altercation, but the patrol officer was badly injured. He suffered a fractured orbital socket and nasal cavity, police said.
Wolski said his department is still investigating the incident because there seems to be no obvious explanation for the violent response toward police.
"(Officers) hadn't really had a chance (to do anything except) tell them to sit down and they wanted to talk to them to find out what they were doing out at this hour," Wolski said.
Authorities are expected to file 13 felony charges against the subjects, police said.
But the uncle of one of the arrested teens said his nephew lost three teeth in the altercation and his head is swollen. The uncle said his relative was not aggressive and did not fight with officers.
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