SUNNY ISLES BEACH, Fla. – A candidate for a Sunny Isles Beach commission seat was caught on camera attacking two teenagers.
Witnesses said one of the teen boys was put in a choke hold by Sunny Isles City Commission candidate George Bardmesser while the other teen was hit in the face.
“He comes out of nowhere and starts choking me,” said one of the teens, whose identity is being withheld. “I was in shock. I didn’t know what to do.”
After the alleged choke hold, Bardmesser is seen on video striking another teenager in the face.
“When he was choking my friend, he let go of my friend and slapped me in my face,” said the second teen, who also spoke on the condition of anonymity, with his mother’s permission. “I’m here scared.”
“I was scared for my life in that moment,” said the first teen.
The violent episode took place at Bardmesser’s own political event Sunday at El Tropoico restaurant.
“There was instigation going on,” said restaurant owner Pedro Vera.
The commission candidate appeared to be having a hard time even before he got physical.
Bardmesser, who was campaigning for investing in police, was arrested and charged.
Current Sunny Isles Commissioner, and not a Bardmesser supporter, Fabiola Stuyvesant, attended the event with a group of young men, including the boys involved in the incident.
“All the boys that got hurt they were under my care,” she said.