PUTNAM COUNTY, Fla. – A man who stopped to break up a fight outside a Putnam County school ended up seriously injured after a group of students turned on him Friday afternoon, according to the Putnam County Sheriff’s Office.
Deputies say the incident happened as school let out at Palatka Junior-Senior High School on Friday.
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According to the Putnam County Sheriff’s Office, a group of students was fighting when a Good Samaritan stepped in to help separate them. Once the fight was broken up, the group of teens turned on the man, knocked him to the ground and stomped and struck him repeatedly, video showed. The attack continued until school administrators arrived.
(Warning: The video linked here shows graphic content that some may find disturbing)
The victim suffered a broken rib.
“This incident is not only deeply disturbing, but it is troubling that a group of teenagers feel so empowered to disregard human life and viciously attack a fellow student first, but then turn on a Good Samaritan and parent who was trying to help,” Sheriff H.D. ‘Gator’ DeLoach said.
“This mob mentality will not be tolerated as the safety of our community is my top priority. My prayers are with the victim, who I hope is able to make a full recovery of his injuries, as well as his student who had to witness,” DeLoach added.
On Monday, deputies interviewed suspects and made 10 arrests. Those arrested range in age from 13 to 17 years old.
All 10 were charged with inciting a riot, a third-degree felony, and battery.
The Sheriff’s Office said the victim is fortunate his injuries were not more severe.