Teens who allegedly attacked Marines will be held accountable: Sgt. Mike Woodroof
WARNING-GRAPHIC FOOTAGE: Orange County Sgt. Mike Woodroof gives an update on the alleged assault of U.S. Marines by a teen mob in California on 'The Story.'
The mob of San Clemente, California teenagers who beat up three U.S. Marines on Memorial Day Weekend will be held accountable for the horrific attack, a law enforcement officer told Fox News on Tuesday.
Off-duty Marines were enjoying time at the beach Friday when they asked a group of teenagers to stop lighting off fireworks because they were being hit with debris. The Marines were then jumped and repeatedly stomped on by a mob of up to 40 people. The city’s mayor has denounced the attack with "total disgust and shock."
"This isn't something that happens in San Clemente," Mayor Chris Duncan, D-Calif., told "America Reports" on Tuesday. "We're a very safe city. We’re a military town. It's especially tragic that we have this attack happening over Memorial Day Weekend because we support our troops. We especially support our Marines and we're going to take swift action to make sure this never happens again."
Late Tuesday evening, the Orange County Sheriff's Office said five suspects had been arrested and remained in custody in connection with the assault. At least four more could face charges in the attack. All are juveniles.
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"At 9:50 p.m. on Friday, May 26, 2023, Orange County Sheriff's deputies were dispatched to the San Clemente Pier regarding a large group of possible juveniles involved in an assault on United States Marines," the sheriff's department said.
"On arrival, deputies found two male United States Marines injured from the assault. The Orange County Fire Authority rendered medical aid; however, the Marines declined to be medically transported to the hospital. During the investigation, a third male United States Marine was discovered to have been assaulted during the incident," its statement continued.
The sheriff's office said investigators "identified and arrested four male juveniles and a female juvenile believed to be involved in the incident." They were subsequently booked on an assault with a deadly weapon charge.
San Clemente’s mayor said investigators have identified at least four more juveniles involved who may be charged with misdemeanor assault and battery. They are all San Clemente residents, he said.
Duncan described the investigation as "very efficient and effective" and said, as of now, investigators do not anticipate any additional arrests. This may change as the investigation is ongoing, the mayor said.
Orange County Sgt. Mike Woodroof assures residents that those who carried out the assault would be brought to justice. (Orange County Sheriff's Department)
Earlier in the day, Orange County Sgt. Mike Woodroof assured Americans "investigators are looking into the circumstances around the incident" and the attackers will be brought to justice.
"Regardless, if they're adults or juveniles, they will be held accountable to the law regarding this scenario," Woodroof said. "An assault with a deadly weapon, anybody that kicks another human being in the head to cause damage, internal injury to that magnitude will be arrested for a felony assault deadly weapon.
Woodroof said the first steps in the investigation will be to identify those suspected of attacking the Marines and take them into custody.
San Clemente Mayor Chris Duncan said several juveniles were arrested already in connection with the (Mark Rightmire/MediaNews Group/Orange County Register via Getty Images)
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"The main video that I'm aware of that has been released from the one that you're showing right now to where the two Marines are being assaulted, is the key piece of evidence that captures that horrific moment that they endure for those few minutes," he explained.
Woodroof added: "There is also a third Marine that was injured that was off a video, but regardless, there are multiple videos that, from what I've been told, have surveillance of that area and investigators are pursuing the identity of those suspects."
Fox News’ Jeff Paul contributed to this report.