Four Florida men have been arrested after allegedly attacking a disabled 19-year-old for as long as 40 minutes during a bonfire gathering.
The suspects—18-year-olds Cody Stripling and Logan Levesque, along with 19-year-olds Sebastian Bowers and Casey Knight—allegedly confronted the victim at Tiger Bay State Forest near Daytona Beach on Oct. 23, according to Volusia County Sheriff Mike Chitwood.
Chitwood condemned the assault during a news conference Thursday after viewing video of the incident. He said the suspects, whom his office labeled the “Scumbags of the Week,” targeted someone who was unable to properly defend himself.
According to the footage, the victim was sitting in the back of a pickup truck when one of the suspects struck him in the head and knocked him to the ground.
The group then allegedly punched and kicked him repeatedly while he remained on the ground, unable to protect himself.
The video also captured the alleged attackers laughing as the beating continued.
“He couldn’t even throw a punch,” Chitwood said, describing how the victim was allegedly sucker-punched before the group piled onto him, kicked and stomped him, and placed him in a chokehold.
Chitwood said the victim had attended the bonfire with a friend and was initially hesitant to participate because he was shy.
The suspects reportedly told investigators that the disabled man had made an inappropriate remark about a woman at the party and touched her leg.
They allegedly claimed they were acting to “defend the woman’s honor.”
Chitwood rejected that explanation, saying it did not justify the attack.
“You’re beating an individual who basically has one arm, along with other issues, and you think it’s cool,” the sheriff said. “I don’t get it.”
The victim’s friend eventually pulled him away from the group, but the victim’s mother waited until the next day to notify authorities.
The 19-year-old was treated for a concussion and several minor injuries.
All four suspects face enhanced felony charges, including battery against a disabled adult.
Knight is accused of filming the assault and sharing the video on Snapchat.
“If you’re going to stand there, record this and post it, you’re getting locked up,” Chitwood said, addressing Knight.
He added that bystanders have a responsibility to intervene rather than film an attack for attention or online engagement.
Stripling and Bowers were arrested first, followed by Levesque and Knight. All four remain jailed without bond.
“They should be known for what they did,” Chitwood said. “You want to be treated like a big man? Now they’re going to be treated like big men.”