Three Marines savagely beaten by mob of 40 teens, kicking off Memorial Day weekend on the beach

A trio of self-identified Marines became victims of “assault with a deadly weapon” over Memorial Day weekend when an estimated mob of around 40 teens was seen pummeling them on a California beach.

(Video: KCAL News)

The incident, which occurred Friday in San Clemente, California, was seen from multiple angles as a nearby resident and members of the mob were already recording the unruly behavior around 10 p.m.

A member of the trio, said to be a lance corporal with the U.S. Marine Corps, had explained to KCAL News that he and his peers were already on the beach enjoying time away from Camp Pendleton when the group of dozens of teens arrived and began causing a disturbance.

“They were lighting off fireworks. They were being belligerent. They were being obnoxious and annoying other people. So we went up to them — told them to stop,” he recounted.

After appearing to walk away from the group, one member of the trio can be seen taking a blow to the back of the head from one of the teens, causing him to turn and confront the assailant. Moments later, he and a friend could be seen shielding themselves in the fetal position as they were “stomped on” and “beat up,” taking kicks and punches all over their bodies.

Shouts of “Get that f*cker” and “f*ck that f*cker up” could be heard during the chaos that didn’t let up until two passersby appeared to intercede, stepping in and shouting at the teens, “Stop, what are you doing?”

“My face still has blood on it. It wasn’t cool at all,” the young man told KCAL News.

According to the Orange County Sheriff’s Department, the victims refused to go to the hospital following the attack. While no major injuries were reported, OCSD Sgt. Frank Gonzalez explained, “This is considered an assault with a deadly weapon because of the amount of suspects that we are investigating.”

“The weapons that were used were their feet while these victims were on the ground. So, regardless if the victims choose prosecution or choose medical attention the sheriff’s department is gonna investigate this to the fullest and try to determine who the suspects are,” he added.

In his own statement issued Saturday, San Clemente Mayor Chris Duncan said, “By now you may have heard about the physical altercation last night in the San Clemente pier bowl area. We are still working with the Orange County Sheriff’s Department to gather facts but I want to be crystal clear: this behavior is absolutely unacceptable. I am grateful that no one was seriously hurt and that the City Council recently unanimously decided to hire four additional deputies to patrol our beach areas. We must come together to condemn this type of violence and ensure these situations do not occur in the future.”

He also said, “Marines are always welcome here, always going to be celebrated, always taken care of, and that is why this is so particularly tragic.”

Kevin Haggerty

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