HALLANDALE BEACH, Fla. – A 16-year-old student at Hallandale High School lost his teeth after another teen savagely attacked him, according to police.
The attack happened Wednesday just steps away from the campus, located at 720 NW Ninth Ave. in Hallandale Beach.
“This is very concerning for our department, especially when it comes to the juveniles in the area,” Hallandale Beach police Capt. Aaron Smith said. “We do our best to protect our kids.”
Authorities said the attacker pistol-whipped the teen, breaking his jaw.
“(The victim) was approached while talking to another student,” Smith said. “(The suspect) asked him a couple of questions, he turned to leave to walk away and as he turned the suspect turned around and hit him in the side of the face with what we believe is the butt-end to the gun.”
Body camera footage obtained by Local 10 News shows the teen inside the school nurse’s office.
Police said they arrested the attacker, though they haven’t identified him.
“We have school resource officers on campus,” Smith said. “We’ve increased patrol even after this arrest just to kind of make the kids feel safe going to and coming from class.”
The 16-year-old suspect faces a charge of aggravated battery with a deadly weapon.