R&I – FS
ATLANTA — A family is pushing for change after their son’s assault went viral online.
The 16-year-old was playing basketball at a local rec center when he was attacked. As it happened, other kids filmed the assault and posted it online.
Now, the victim’s family is saying they don’t think the suspects should escape the fullest consequences just because they’re underage.
“I don’t have words to articulate the anger that people found joy in my son’s pain. That they didn’t see a human being thrown to the ground, that they saw joy, they saw humor, and they laughed at that. That’s my son,” the boy’s mother, Allyssa Brooke-Cox said in an 11Alive exclusive.
She spent her son, Nick’s, 17th birthday feeding him through a syringe because his jaw was wired shut. His jaw was broken in three places from the attack. Nick also had a severe concussion, and doctors had to check for internal bleeding.
“While he was in that state, his jaw just hanging there, he was watching this video of his attack spread like wildfire on social media,” Nick’s father, Robbie Cox added.
Both Allyssa and Robbie say watching the video of their son’s attack is a haunting experience.
“They didn’t stop it; they applauded it. And to me, that’s participation. I don’t expect everybody to be a hero and run in to save the day if that’s not your style. But to laugh and applaud, and cheer, that’s not humanity,” Allyssa said.
The one teenager accused of breaking Nick’s jaw is charged with assault as a juvenile, but Nick’s family says they feel like the rest of the kids are getting off without any punishment.
Gellieman
Article URL : https://www.11alive.com/article/news/crime/teen-assault-goes-viral-parents-fight-back/85-3179abba-cebd-44b4-a0be-20814b6de66a