Peter Bennedum Obituary, Death; The city of Binghamton is in shock and mourning following the death of 45-year-old Peter Bennedum, a homeless man whose life ended after a violent assault that has deeply shaken the community and sparked widespread outrage.
According to the Binghamton Police Department, officers were called late Monday night to the area of Carroll and Henry Streets, where they found Bennedum unconscious on the sidewalk with severe injuries. Investigators say he had been attacked and beaten earlier that night before succumbing to his injuries.
Authorities have identified five teenage boys in connection with the incident. Four suspects, aged 14 and 15, are facing charges of second-degree attempted murder and are currently being held in juvenile detention. A fifth suspect, aged 13, has been released to a guardian, though officials say further legal action may follow as the investigation continues.
Police allege that the group targeted Bennedum because he was homeless and that the assault may have been recorded for social media, a detail that has intensified public concern and condemnation.
The case has triggered an outpouring of grief and support for Bennedum’s family. A fundraising effort created by his mother has raised thousands of dollars to assist with funeral and memorial expenses, as community members respond to the tragedy with donations and messages of sympathy.
Loved ones remember Peter Bennedum as a kind and gentle man who endured hardship but remained respectful and warm to those around him. His death has left a painful void for his family and a lasting impact on a city grappling with the brutality of the crime.
The incident has also renewed calls from advocates in Binghamton for stronger protections for unhoused individuals, highlighting the dangers faced by people living on the streets and the urgent need for greater awareness and prevention efforts.
As the legal process moves forward, the community continues to mourn Peter Bennedum—not only as a victim of violence, but as a human being whose life mattered and whose story has deeply moved many.