Nine teens arrested over brutal beating of three Marines on California beach
Nine teenagers were arrested Tuesday in connection with the brutal on-camera beatdown of three Marines on a California beach over the weekend, authorities said.
Four males and one female were charged with assault with a deadly weapon and were admitted to the juvenile hall, the Orange County Sheriff’s Department announced.
Another four minors were reportedly charged with misdemeanor assault and battery, according to CBS News.
Footage captures a mob of teens viciously beating a trio of off-duty Marines on a California beach. Facebook / San Clemente Life Police say four males and one female were charged with assault using a deadly weapon, noting they were admitted to a juvenile hall. Facebook / San Clemente Life
The Marines asked the group to stop lighting fireworks. Instagram
Camera flashes can be seen as onlookers watch the teens pummel the Marines. CBS News
San Clemente Mayor Chris Duncan said deputies have apprehended the main suspects among a group of up to 40 others that ruthlessly attacked the three servicemen who were enjoying their Memorial Day weekend near the Pier Bowl.
“They think they have the people they are looking for,” Duncan said. “Not to say that there might not be a few others out there. They feel pretty confident that they have the main perpetrators.”
Investigators used video footage of the attack to track down the brutes, according to the mayor.
Authorities believe they have the correct suspects in custody after the brutal attack. Instagram
One of the attacked Marines, Hunter Antonino, said the violent group was told who they were but the group “just kept going at it.” CBS News
“In today’s age, you’re going to get caught — people are going to record it,” said Duncan. “I hope this serves as a learning lesson for young folks in the community not to let themselves get out of control when something like this happens.”
The teenagers set their sights on the Marines after they asked the group to stop lighting fireworks — a piece of debris had hit one of them in the face, they claimed.
“We told them we were Marines so they would leave — but they didn’t. They just kept going at it,” one of the servicemen, Hunter Antonino, said.
Investigators were able to use video footage taken to track down the juvenile suspects, according to the mayor. Facebook / San Clemente Life
The youngsters then followed the men and verbally berated them before overpowering the trio, forcing them to retreat into the fetal position on the ground, with their hands and arms covering their heads as the mob continues to kick, punch and stomp them.
The nearly minute-long clip shows the attack only ending when a man and woman rush in and scream at them to stop.
The sheriff’s department promised to “investigate this to the fullest” even if the servicemen opted not to press charges.
Source: New York Post
