Hot tub assault victim speaks out after 2 teenage boys turned in by their parents
SAN BERNARDINO, Calif. -- A man who suffered a concussion when he was attacked and robbed at his apartment complex hot tub in San Bernardino, California, says he forgives the two 13-year-old suspects and is grateful to their parents for turning them in.
Surveillance video from Aug. 14 shows two teenagers approaching Gregory Medina from behind. One kicks Medina in the head while the other takes his phone before they run away.
Medina said the kick knocked off his glasses and earbuds.
"I felt a large jolt in the back of my head that sent me forward, knocked my glasses out, knocked my earbuds out. So I got up and chased them," Medina said.
Medina tried to follow the teenagers, but was unable to catch them. He said he suffered a concussion and has been unable to return to his job as a chef.
Medina said he was surprised when one of the teenagers' parents later contacted him to apologize. The parents of both boys turned their sons in on Friday, Aug. 21, after learning about the incident, according to San Bernardino police.
"He was very apologetic and saying his son made a stupid mistake, but he understands that he did need to be held accountable," Medina said.
Medina went to the San Bernardino police station, where he met the two teenagers. He said the boys told him they carried out the attack for a TikTok video.
Medina expressed sympathy for the teenagers' families and gratitude toward their parents for contacting authorities.
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"To turn their children in, and turn them over to the police, and then leave without their kids. That had to have been hard. And it tears at my heartstrings as a father, but I understand as well," Medina said.
Medina said he kept his cool with the boys when he met them.
"I never once raised my voice or yelled at them or belittled them. I wanted them to know that they were loved and I do forgive them," Medina said.
Medina said his phone was not recovered and that the teenagers admitted discarding it.
Both boys face robbery charges, and one also faces an assault charge. They are spending the weekend in custody awaiting an appearance before a judge.
"These are two young men that made a stupid mistake and have to live with the consequences, and the families do as well," Medina said.
Medina continues to recover from his concussion and has created a GoFundMe fundraiser to help while he is unable to work.
