Marines allegedly ‘zero’ in on man in downtown assault

By Globe Staff

Boston Police say they're investigating an attack early today by two men wearing Marine uniforms, who allegedly told a man who was walking downtown with his girlfriend that she should "drop that zero for a hero" before punching, kicking, and hitting him with a beer bottle.

Police said they were called to 160 Milk St. for a report of assault and battery at about 12:34 a.m.

The man, who sustained a head laceration and a compound fracture of the left ankle, and his girlfriend told police they were walking down High Street when they were approached by a group including the two men in Marine uniforms, police said.

After one of the Marines told the young woman to "drop that zero," words were exchanged and the other Marine "sucker punched" the victim in the face.