<bt>Fairfax County Police are searching for a group of men they say attacked a Fairfax-area man in Merrifield.
On Jan. 3, at about 11:50 p.m., a 24-year old Fairfax man and a 21-year-old female friend left the Lee Highway Multiplex Cinemas, 8233 Lee Highway. The two were walking along Strawberry Lane and Gallows Road when a car occupied by several people approached the vehicle.
The occupants exchanged words with the victim and several of them got out of the car. They chased the victim as he ran back toward the theater.
As many as four of the suspects caught up to the victim before he was able to reach the theater. After catching him, the struck him repeatedly with a machete. The victim sustained severe injuries to his head and neck. Three fingers on his left hand were severed.
He was transported to Inova Fairfax Hospital.
The victim's friend, a Fairfax-area woman, was found unharmed.
The suspects are described as three or four Latino men between 18 and 25 years old. They were seen leaving the area in a car and are believed to be gang members.
Police ask anyone with information about this incident to call them at 703-691-2131 or Crime Solvers at 1-866-411-8477.