A Huntington Beach High School student seen punching a disabled student in a video that has gone viral on social media was arrested Thursday, police said.
The student, whose name was not released, was arrested on suspicion of misdemeanor battery and released to his parents, according to Huntington Beach police Officer Jennifer Marlatt.
The victim, who has a “visual impairment,” was struck by the suspect several times during lunch about 12:30 p.m. Wednesday, Marlatt alleged.
The two “have a history of not getting alone,” Marlatt said.
As the victim walked past the suspect an argument ensued, and it escalated into the student hitting his disabled classmate, Marlatt said.
“Another student saw the fight and intervened to prevent the suspect from further assaulting the victim,” Marlatt said in a news release.
The student who intervened knocked down the classmate who struck the visually impaired student, Marlatt said.
“It does not appear the incident has any connection with the victim’s disability,” Marlatt said.
“You trying to jump a (expletive) blind kid, bro?” the boy’s rescuer says to the other student. “What the (expletive) is your problem?”
The teen who intervened warned the other student to not pick on the victim again, according to the footage, which has been posted online.
In a statement issued by the Huntington Beach Union High School District, school officials characterized it as an isolated incident.
“The school is now responding to this isolated incident by interviewing students and witnesses to determine exactly what happened,” the district said in its statement. “Additionally, the school is working with local authorities to define the appropriate actions necessary once all of the information is collected.
“Huntington Beach High School firmly believes that all students are afforded an opportunity to learn in a safe and secure environment. Because of this, safety is the highest priority,” the statement said. “Huntington Beach High School has a very strong anti-bullying code of conduct and will not condone this type of behavior from any student.”
— Wire reports