Five teens arrested for brutal beating of student at Parkland high school in Florida

Sylvester Hicks, Jr., 16, Chinua Leefatt, 15, Caleb Hensley, 17, and Jordan Thompson, 16, were taken into custody on Thursday, while Jahmeer Beauziel, 17 turned himself in on Monday. They have all been taken into custody and face one count of felony battery each. 

According to Coral Springs Talk, the incident took place on Dec. 12 at the school's junior student parking lot at North Community Park, a green space on the south side of the Sawgrass Expressway, which separates the cities of Parkland and Coral Springs.

Footage shows a large group of teens encircling the victim, punching and kicking him repeatedly. Eventually, one of the aggressors grabs him and throws him to the ground, his head striking the pavement. The victim can then be seen laying motionless, seemingly unconscious. 

As a result of the beating, the victim suffered a skull fracture, among other injuries, and was taken to the hospital. He has since been released, and is recovering at home.

The New York Post reports that Leefatt's father has maintained that his son is innocent, arguing that the victim attacked first.

The victim and the suspects are all students at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High, save for Leefatt, who attends nearby Coral Glades High School. Others who allegedly took part in the beating are being sought by police.

"This incident is deeply upsetting, and we’re thankful that the injured student is recovering," Broward County School Board Chair Lori Alhadeff said in a statement, per Local10. "Our thoughts are with him, his family and all of the families that have been impacted. We're thankful to the Coral Springs Police Department and the school administration for quickly collaborating to identify the five students. Their arrests serve as a crucial lesson about the severe consequences that can come of one's actions."