Teen Thugs on the Loose After Fatal Hammer Attack on St. Louis Street

St. Louis police are searching for two juveniles who reportedly fled the scene of an overnight homicide where they and two others attacked a motorist with hammers, KTVI-TV reported.

Begic and his wife Arijana were reportedly married just six months ago. (Image source: Twitter/BHDragons)

The victim, identified as Zemir Begic, 32, was in his vehicle around 1:15 a.m. Sunday in south St. Louis when several juveniles approached on foot and began striking his car, KTVI said.

After Begic exited his car, the four suspects yelled at him and hit him with the hammers, the station reported, adding that he was struck on the head, face, mouth and abdomen. He died at a hospital of his injuries, KTVI said.

The juveniles fled the scene, but two were caught and taken into juvenile custody, the station said; no physical description of the two teens in custody was reported. Police are still searching for two others, a 16-year-old black male and a 15-year-old Hispanic, KTVI added.

In the wake of Begic's death, a demonstration was held in his neighborhood — which attracted a familiar scene: police in riot gear, Twitchy reported:

Protest in St Louis over murdered Bosnian man. RT @AkifCogo: Heavy presence of police in riot gear. #SouthSTL pic.twitter.com/k90jCOiQuY

— Sarah Kendzior (@sarahkendzior)

December 1, 2014

While KMOV reported that demonstrators blocked traffic at an intersection, Police Chief Sam Dotson called it a "peaceful" gathering that saw no arrests:

From a bit ago: @ChiefSLMPD briefs residents on investigation into hammer attack. "You got my attention," he said. pic.twitter.com/eKk7fUh6ts

— joelcurrier (@joelcurrier) December 1, 2014

Tonight responded to a peaceful demonstration in the Bosnian community at Gravois & Itaska. No arrests and everyone has now left.

— Chief Sam Dotson (@ChiefSLMPD) December 1, 2014

The following KMOV-TV report aired before Begic died of his injuries and the station had updated information — but the report noted that a similar, though non-fatal, attack happened in the same neighborhood earlier, with the assailants using the sharp end of a hammer on their victim:

This story has been updated.