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Racist text messages reportedly led to a brutal attack that left a Florida teenager hospitalized and several other minors with attempted murder charges, per Fox 13.
The attack unfolded on February 13 at a dog park in Tampa, Florida. Cellphone video obtained by Fox 13 shows a group of teenagers, including one armed with a knife, approaching a truck occupied by the victim. The teenagers pulled the victim out of the passenger seat and punched and kicked him, leaving him unconscious.
The victim was taken to a hospital, where he was treated for severe injuries and later released.
Teens Owen Callahan, Jacob Ely, Joseph Gesuale, Jace Villanueva, Grayson Shearer, and Orian Robinson are facing charges in connection to the attack and are being tried as adults.
Investigators believe the assault stemmed from a dispute that occurred between the group a few days before in Clearwater. According to texts obtained by Fox 13, the victim allegedly sent racist messages to one of his alleged attackers, which authorities believe instigated the violent incident. The texts allegedly read: “I love black ppl but not u" and “… imma put you in my field and make u pick some Cotten.”
“This was a brutal and senseless attack that has no place in our community,” Tampa Police Chief Lee Bercaw said in a statement. “No matter your age, if you commit a crime in our city, expect to be arrested and prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law. Thanks to the swift work and dedication of our officers and detectives, these individuals will now face the consequences of their actions.”
An investigation into the incident remains ongoing.
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