Teens arrested after 3 Marines were beaten by violent mob on California Beach

Nine teenagers have been arrested in connection with the brutal beating of three US Marines on a California beach over the Memorial Day weekend. The incident, which was caught on camera, took place Friday evening near the Pier Bowl in San Clemente.

Five of the teens, four males and one female, were charged with assault with a deadly weapon and taken to the Orange County Juvenile Hall. Another four were charged with misdemeanor assault and battery, and will have their fate decided out of custody.


 

According to CBS News, San Clemente Mayor Chris Duncan said the Orange County Sheriff's Department "think they have the people they are looking for," noting that while "they feel pretty confident that they have the main perpetrators," there "might ... be a few others out there."

He explained that authorities were given access to footage beyond what was made available to the public, and cross referenced it with data from the local school district to identify the suspects seen beating up the Marines.

"In today's age, you’re going to get caught," Duncan warned. "People are going to record it. I hope this serves as a learning lesson for young folks in the community not to let themselves get out of control when something like this happens."

According to one of the victims, Hunter Antonino, the teens were acting aggressively and lighting firecrackers at the beach. Antonino told KCAL-TV that when he asked them to stop, he was hit in the head with debris, and a fight ensued.

Two of the Marines ended up on the ground in the fetal position while the teens punched and kicked them. Adults were eventually able to step in and break up the fight.

Following the incident, Duncan lamented the fact that the victims were members of the Armed Services, calling the situation "particularly tragic."

"Look, this is San Clemente, Marines are always welcome here, always gonna be celebrated, always be taken care of," he added.