PALM BEACH COUNTY, Fla. – Authorities announced several arrests Thursday following the attack on a well-known rapper at a South Florida gym.
Police arrested the three men they say were caught on cellphone video assaulting 26-year-old Daniel Hernandez, who is also known as Tekashi 6ix9ine.
The suspects were identified as Rafael Medina Jr., 43, of Lake Worth, Octavious Medina, 23, of Boynton Beach, and Anthony Maldonado, 25, of Greenacres.
They each face charges of robbery and battery.
As of Friday morning, the suspects were still being held in the Palm Beach County Jail.
The crime happened at an LA Fitness in Lake Worth on Tuesday, March 21.
Warning: Video contains graphic language some may find offensive. (Video provided by @OnlyInDade).
The rapper’s attorney, Lance Lazzaro, told TMZ his client was jumped by several men while inside the sauna.
The Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office confirmed to Local 10 News that the incident was reported just after 8:45 p.m. that night at the LA Fitness, located in the 8000 block of Lantana Road in Lake Worth.
Lazzaro told TMZ the rapper attempted to fight back but there were too many people attacking him.
6ix9ine’s security was not with him at the time of the attack, Lazzaro said.
The rapper was taken to a hospital by ambulance after the beating and reportedly suffered gashes and swelling, along with injuries to his jaw, ribs and back.
Lazzaro told TMZ he planned to call the Feds to ensure that his client gets the protection he needs.
The 26-year-old rapper has been heavily criticized, including by fellow rapper Snoop Dogg, after he provided information about several of his fellow gang members to law enforcement in order to be granted early release from prison.
It’s unclear whether the men seen in the video are members of the Nine Trey Gangsta Bloods, or whether the attack had anything to do with his testimony against the gang members.
The gym attack came just days after the rapper was kicked out of loanDepot Park in Miami during the World Baseball Classic.
In that incident, 6ix9ine was accused of standing up and blocking fans’ views as he waved a Mexican flag during the Mexico vs. Puerto Rico game on March 17.
Witnesses say the rapper was intoxicated before he was escorted out of the ballpark.