WASHINGTON (AP) — Prosecutors have dropped charges against six teenagers charged with assault after a man was beaten in a downtown Metro station.

The Woodrow Wilson High School students had been charged in the incident on Jan. 28 at the Gallery Place-Chinatown station. Police said the man got into an altercation with the youths, ages 15 and 16.

Authorities said when one teen punched the 35-year-old man, the victim swung at the teen, and other teenagers lunged at him. The man was rushed by a group of teenagers — beaten, kicked and left injured on the platform while his assailants jumped aboard an outgoing train.

NBC4 reports that D.C. Attorney General Karl Racine said in a statement that he cannot comment on the specific case. But he said that generally incidents without sufficient evidence showing guilt may not be brought to trial.

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Information from: WRC-TV, http://nbcwashington.com

WTOP’s Kristi King contributed to this report.