Seattle -- KIRO Eyewitness News has learned that a local postal carrier was brutally attacked while delivering letters.

Postal authorities are handing out flyers offering a $50,000 reward for the capture and conviction of those responsible for these vicious attacks.

KIRO News has uncovered the postal carrier was just one of a handful of people attacked by the same violent group.

Last week, a U.S. Postal letter carrier was attacked while delivering mail near 16th and East Jefferson Street in central Seattle.

Police say a group of five to seven teenagers kicked, punched and beat the letter carrier.

Good samaritans helped the man make it to the hospital which was just a block away.

Reward flyers are being passed out in the neighborhood.

Police say the same night that the carrier was attacked, three other people were assaulted within just a couple of blocks.

One man beaten up a nearby grocery store parking lot.

In each attack the victims describe the same attackers

Seattle Police officer Sean Whitcomb says the group was selecting individuals who are alone either walking or standing in a certain area and attacking them.

Postal officials tell KIRO they think the attacks may be gang related .

One of the young men reportedly yelled "eastsiders" after one of the attacks.

Seattle postal carriers are shocked that this kind of attack happened in Seattle.

One told KIRO that attacks on carriers are extremely rare and he would like to see the young men caught.

By Friday, the injured postal carrier is still at home unable to return to work.

Postal officials say the last time an attack like this happened in Washington state was back in 1999.

Anyone with information on this case can call the postal service with tips.

Contact: G.D. Hall, Postal Inspector

P.O. Box 400

Seattle, WA 98111-4000

206.442.6141 or

800.773.7226

Or

Seattle Police Juvenile Assault Unit

206.684.5740