PEMBROKE PINES, Fla. – A vicious beatdown that took place on a South Florida school campus was caught on camera, and now a mother, who just moved here with her son from Venezuela about 8 months ago is demanding answers.
They told Local 10 News reporter Christian De La Rosa that they are stunned, never thinking something like that his would happen to them in this country.
Video of the school fight is being investigated by the Pembroke Pines Police Department.
Edda Castillo can barely watch it as the boy being pummeled at school is her 13-year-old son.
The school fight happened last week at West Broward High School.
Luis Manuel Robles Castillo said he and a friend were talking in Spanish while on their way to the school bus when an older teen approached him, believing he was talking about him.
Castillo was left with multiple bumps and bruises to his head, but fortunately no serious injuries.
“Angry, I don’t know why,” the boy told Local 10 News. “I say, ‘No bro, relax,’ and they start punching me on the floor.”
However, a friend of the person seen beating Castillo says that’s not how he heard it went down.
“The kid swung on him and of course he had to fight back too-- and they started recording the video (and) made it look like he was a bully,” said Zach Ginors, a West Broward High student.
Ginors was asked by Local 10, “So you’re saying Luis swung on the (older teen) first?”
“Mhmm,” he replied.
Castillo’s mother says she filed charges and is asking school administrators to take disciplinary measures in the case.
She fears next time it could be worse.
Broward County Public Schools released the following statement Thursday in regard to the incident:
“The District and school take all matters involving student safety seriously. Immediately upon becoming aware of the incident, the school’s leadership and School Resource Officer responded. The student responsible received appropriate disciplinary measures in accordance with the Student Code of Conduct. “In addition, the school’s administration provided mediation for the students with the goal of preventing any future issues. The school’s leadership remained in communication with the parents/guardians of the students throughout this process.
“We defer to the Pembroke Pines Police Department regarding their investigation.”