HUNTERSVILLE, N.C. — Police said they are investigating after someone shared cell phone video of a violent assault at a Huntersville shopping center on social media.
The Huntersville Police Department said the assault happened on Saturday in Birkdale Village.
A man told Channel 9 his son was in the video. Randy Pelham said it shows his son at first defending his friend, when a group of teens turned their attention on him. Pelham’s son throws a few punches in what Pelham calls self defense, but moments later, he’s backed into a corner -- kicked and punched himself -- before rolling under a car.
“You can imagine seeing a graphic video of your son being stomped in the head and back on social media,” Pelham said. “We were horrified.”
Police said the incident wasn’t a random act of violence. There was a prior dating relationship involving the girl, and also private messages via social media, according to authorities.
Pelham believes the group of teens tracked down his son and his friend at Birkdale through social media posts made that night.
“This is a savage, brutal attack,” Pelham said.
Officers said they have identified some of the suspects shown in the video, and said they are working with school resource officers to identify the remaining people involved. Police said because the investigation involves people under the age of 18, they can’t share any more details about the case.
Pelham said even four days later, his son is still recovering from a concussion, cuts and bruises. He said he’s even more frustrated by the lack of response from Huntersville police, and said there are questions about the case that still haven’t been answered.
“They’re couching it as though it’s an ongoing investigation, yet five days later, they haven’t taken a statement from my son, they haven’t checked evidence,” Pelham said.
Investigators said there is no ongoing threat to the community because of the assault.
“Although crimes occur in highly populated, commercial districts, Birkdale Village is not experiencing any significant increase in crime. The Huntersville Police Department has been working closely with Birkdale Village management and will continue to do so moving forward,” police said.
Pelham said he just wants to make sure this doesn’t happen to anyone else. He has this message for all parents: “I think we have to do better, I think we must do better, or this is only the tip of the iceberg.”
The Pelhams said one of the suspects in the case apologized to their family.
Channel 9 asked Huntersville police how many teens are charged, but has not heard back yet.
Police asked anyone with information about the case to call the Huntersville Police Department at 704-464-5400.
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