OSCEOLA COUNTY, Fla. — Nine Harmony High School students were arrested Wednesday after deputies say they attacked a 17-year-old who had spoken up for another student being bullied during lunch.
The teen suffered facial wounds requiring 11 stitches after the Oct. 16 attack near a tunnel exiting the school, according to the Osceola County Sheriff’s Office.
All nine students face felony charges of aggravated battery and inciting a riot.
Confrontation began during lunch
Deputies said the victim was in the school cafeteria with his girlfriend when they saw students throwing carrots at another girl.
The victim told them to stop. Two boys exchanged words with him and his girlfriend before the couple left the area in an effort to de-escalate the situation, according to the sheriff’s office.
Later that day, the victim was walking to his car when a 14-year-old struck him, deputies said. Eight other students then joined in, repeatedly punching him in the face and head, according to investigators.
Deputies responded shortly after 2:30 p.m. to reports of the off-campus attack.
The victim’s mother took him to a hospital, where he received stitches to close wounds on his face.
Video helped identify suspects
Investigators said cellphone video provided to deputies helped them identify the nine students.
Deputies arrested the students at Harmony High School on Wednesday with assistance from school staff.
Two 18-year-olds, identified in the release as Quianelle Antonio Reyes-Cintron and Brian Alexander Ramirez, were booked into the Osceola County Jail. Seven juveniles were taken to the Juvenile Assessment Center for processing.
District condemns violence
Osceola School District Superintendent Mark Shanoff said violence and intimidation would not be tolerated on or off campus.
“Such behavior is fundamentally inconsistent with the values of our school district and the standards of conduct we expect from every student,” Shanoff said in a statement.
Sheriff Chris Blackmon praised the victim for intervening.
“This victim did the right thing by standing up for another student being bullied,” Blackmon said.
Click here to download our free news, weather and smart TV apps. And click here to stream Channel 9 Eyewitness News live.