A mob of teenagers attacked at least two United States Marines over Memorial Day weekend in San Clemente, California.
Video of the incident shows dozens of teenagers beating two self-identified service members as they curl up in the fetal position in an attempt to shield themselves from a flurry of punches and kicks.
“This is considered an assault with a deadly weapon because of the amount of suspects we are investigating,” Orange County Sheriff’s Department (OCSD) Sgt. Frank Gonzalez said, according to KCAL. “The weapons that were used were their feet while these victims were on the ground. So, regardless if the victims choose prosecution or choose medical attention the sheriff’s department is going to investigate this to the fullest and try to determine who the suspects are.”
One of the Marines, Hunter Antonino, told the outlet that the assailants “stomped on” them. The attack was stopped when an older man and woman stepped in.
Another video of the incident shows one of the teens punching one of the Marines in the back of the head while he was walking away from the mob.
The violent assault was reportedly sparked when the Marines told the teen mob to stop setting off fireworks. A third Marine was also attacked, according to The New York Post, but the third Marine did not appear in any videos of the incident.
Sgt. Mike Woodroof, an OCSD public information officer, said deputies medically treated the victims at the scene, but both refused transportation to a hospital, San Clemente Times reported.
Woodroof said the two Marines sustained minor injuries during the attack and authorities are investigating the incident.
“That’s kind of where it’s at right now,” Woodroof said. “Investigations is pursuing it right now.”
“Regardless of whether you’re a juvenile or adult you’re still responsible to the law,” he added. “For those who violated the law in this incident, investigations is going to pursue who they are and at that point go from there. And if charges get pressed, they’ll get pressed.”
