KITTANNING — Three Armstrong County men were charged Wednesday with beating a Donegal Township man to death Sunday.

Otilio Cosme, 43, of Ford City, Keith Allen Brison, 32, of Kittanning and Anthony Michael Bove, 18, of Ford City each were charged with homicide, aggravated assault, simple assault, recklessly endangering another person and harassment.

Kittanning state police, who are jointly investigating the incident with borough police, report the three men kicked and jumped on James Sullivan, 39, while he was motionless.

Kittanning police Chief Ed Cassesse said this morning witnesses to the assault identified the suspects.

“People started coming forward after they realized how brutal it was,” he said.

State police on Monday charged a fourth man with aggravated assault, a felony, and simple assault. Dennis Andrew Rosenberger, 27, of Kittanning is accused of hitting Sullivan in the head, causing him to fall on the ground about 1:35 a.m.

Cassesse said witnesses confirmed Rosenberger attacked Sullivan without warning.

Cassesse said the savage beating was the culmination of a series of events begun with women feuding in the Wick City Saloon on Orr Avenue.

Cassesse said most, if not all, of the attackers were initially inside the bar, but had no issues with Sullivan then.

Cassesse said Sullivan tried to play peacemaker.

“The victim escorted the women to their cars,” Cassesse said.

However, the situation remained tense leading up to Rosenberger’s intervention on Montieth Street.

A crowd formed on the street as various fights broke out. Cassesse said Sullivan’s beating was the only one involving serious injuries.

Cassesse said the three homicide suspects are related. Bove is Cosme’s stepson while Brison is Bove’s cousin.

All three men are being held without bail at the Armstrong County Jail.