UPDATE: HEMET: 5 of 6 arrested, connected with Halloween beating of 14-year-old

HEMET – Police officials announced they have identified and arrested five of six people involved in the brutal and senseless beating of a 14-year-old. The young trick-or-treater was attacked Halloween night, Oct. 31. (Click link to view original story.) The attack happened on Mustang Way in Hemet shortly after 9 p.m.

Hemet police officials initially explained the teenager was walking with a small group of friends when they were confronted by a much larger group of subjects, while they were going door-to-door looking for candy and treats.

For an unknown reason the large group, described as “30-40” individuals, singled out the victim and his group and they began harassing the younger juveniles. During the incident, several of the subjects from the larger group went through the victim’s pockets and robbed him, taking his wallet, a watch, and the victim’s candy.

After they had robbed the victim they then set about beating him until he was unconscious.

As several of the suspects savagely beat him, one of them smashed a bottle over the boy’s head knocking him to the ground. At least one of the suspects then kicked the boy in the face, causing him to lose consciousness.

While the boy was being beaten, his friends fled in terror. Some were chased from the location by other people from the large group, as onlookers cheered on the beating and encouraged it.

After he was knocked unconscious, the boy was left laying on the side of the roadway, as the larger group moved on. The teenager eventually regained consciousness and found himself bloody, confused, and all alone. He managed to flag down a passing motorist who notified the victim’s parents. The boy’s parents rushed the young victim to a local area hospital for treatment.

It was not immediately known if race was a factor in the attack, however the victims were described as Hispanic and White, while the suspects were described as Black.

The boy’s beating was so severe, he was required to undergo facial reconstruction surgery. According to his mom, who declined to be identified, the young victim is recovering at home and is expected to make a full recovery. He has not been identified due to his age and the family’s fear of retribution.

After learning about the attack, countless horrified and angry citizens took to social media discussing the senseless beating. Many contacted Hemet police officials wanting to know how and why a teenager could be attacked on a busy street adjacent to West Valley High School, yet nobody reported the incident or stopped to intervene and help the boy while he was being beaten and robbed.

Early in their investigation, Hemet police detectives requested assistance from witnesses and citizens to help identify and locate subjects involved in the violent assault. After officials requested help from the public, numerous witnesses came forward and cooperated with Hemet detectives and police officials; leading to the arrest of the first five alleged suspects believed to have been involved in the attack.

Although it was initially believed the suspects were adults, those participants in the beating who have been identified and arrested had ages ranging from 14 to 17 years old.

One suspect is still outstanding, according to police officials, and detectives are following up on leads to locate that person.

All the suspects arrested for this “heinous crime” were transported to Riverside County Juvenile Hall on various charges, including robbery, assault with a deadly weapon and attempted murder.

The names of the juvenile suspects arrested have not be released due to their ages.

Anyone with further information about this case and investigation or who witnessed the attack is encouraged to contact Hemet Police Detective G. Alvarez at (951) 765-2426. Callers can remain anonymous.

 

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Trevor Montgomery spent 10 years in the U.S. Army as an Orthopedic Specialist before joining the Riverside County Sheriff’s Department in 1998. He was medically retired after losing his leg in an off-duty accident.

During his time with the sheriff’s department, Trevor worked at several different stations, including the Robert Presley Detention Center, the Southwest Station in Temecula, the Hemet Station, and the Lake Elsinore Station, along with many other locations.