DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. — Deputies in Volusia County said a 15-year-old Orange City boy was arrested after repeatedly punching a 16-year-old victim in an attack motivated by prejudice against gay people.
The attack was reported Friday morning at a SMA Healthcare residential adolescent treatment facility in the 3800 block of Tiger Bay Road, Daytona Beach, according to a report.
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Officials said a surveillance camera captured the incident and the video showed the 15-year-old say something to the victim, who was sitting down, before walking over to him and start punching.
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The 15-year-old climbed onto the victim and punched him multiple times before the attack was broken up by staff, officials said.
The victim explained to a deputy that the 15-year-old continuously called him by a common slur used against gay people.
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The victim said the defendant accused him of snitching to the staff about the name calling, then called him by the same slur again and attacked him.
Deputies said the victim’s injuries included an eye that was swollen partially shut, redness and abrasions to his face and a possible arm injury.
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The attack was determined to be a hate crime and the 15-year-old was charged with enhanced felony battery.
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