OSCEOLA COUNTY, Fla. — Two more Harmony High School students were arrested Tuesday in connection with an attack that left a 17-year-old needing 11 stitches after he intervened in bullying, according to the Osceola County Sheriff’s Office.
The latest arrests bring the total to 11. Deputies said the two additional students, ages 16 and 15, each face felony charges of aggravated battery and inciting a riot. Both were taken to the Juvenile Assessment Center.
Attack followed cafeteria confrontation
According to deputies, the victim and his girlfriend were in the school cafeteria during lunch Oct. 16 when they saw students throwing carrots at another girl.
The victim told them to stop. After a verbal exchange with two students, he and his girlfriend left the area in an attempt to de-escalate the situation, investigators said.
Later that afternoon, the victim was walking to his car near the off-campus tunnel when a student struck him, according to the Sheriff’s Office. Other students joined the attack, repeatedly punching him in the face and head, deputies said.
His mother took him to a hospital, where he received 11 stitches to close facial wounds.
Video helped identify suspects
Deputies said cellphone video helped investigators identify students involved in the attack.
The nine students arrested Oct. 21 also faced felony aggravated battery and inciting a riot charges. Two 18-year-olds were booked into the Osceola County Jail, while seven minors were taken to the Juvenile Assessment Center.
Investigators identified the two additional students through the continuing investigation, the Sheriff’s Office said Tuesday.
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