The two teens charged in the Oct. 23 beating of a disabled man at a Florida bonfire are being held without bond, and investigators say they are still looking for the person who filmed the attack. Cody Stripling, 18, and Sabastian Bowers, 19, both of Port Orange, were arrested Saturday and booked into the Volusia County Jail, where they remain, according to the Volusia County Sheriff’s Office.
Both face charges of aggravated battery on a disabled person and battery by strangulation. Court records cited by the Daytona Beach News-Journal also list a charge of aggravated abuse of an elderly person or disabled adult. Their next court dates are scheduled for Dec. 8.
What the Video Shows
The attack happened around 2 a.m. on Oct. 23 at a bonfire party in Tiger Bay State Forest, according to a probable cause affidavit obtained by Law&Crime. The victim, a man with mental and physical disabilities, told deputies his friend brought him to the party but he stayed in his friend’s truck for an hour because he did not know anyone and felt uncomfortable.
He eventually mingled for about an hour, then sat on the tailgate of a pickup truck. That is when Bowers confronted him and slapped him, deputies wrote. Stripling began to punch and slap him, and Bowers slammed him to the ground. While the victim was on the ground, Bowers repeatedly punched and kicked him with his work boots.
Video lasting more than two minutes shows the victim asking “what did I do?” again and again. The cameraman pushed a phone into his face and asked him what he did, then told him to “smile” while he bled from the mouth. When the victim swatted at the phone, the cameraman scolded him for touching it. Bowers grabbed the victim by the hair and pulled his head back, saying “zoom in on his s—” and that he was “leaking like a little b—,” according to the affidavit. Stripling then put the victim in a chokehold.
The victim’s friend returned and separated him from his attacker. Deputies say the victim was never aggressive toward the suspects. He suffered a concussion and cuts and bruises across his body.
Why the Case Drew National Attention
The teens recorded the beating, and a portion of the footage was posted on the sheriff’s office social media sites. Sheriff Mike Chitwood did not soften his language when he released it.
“Congratulations to our new Scumbags of the Weekend, Cody Stripling (18) and Sabastian Bowers (19),” Chitwood wrote. “If you’re a decent person, this video will disturb you. Obviously it didn’t bother Cody or Sebastian.”
The video also appears to show the attackers hugging each other after the beating, and people in the crowd telling the victim to tell his attackers “don’t hit girls,” the News-Journal reported.
The Victim’s Circumstances
Deputies noted the victim has a clearly visible birth defect on his right hand that limits his use of it. His mother told investigators she believes he has a minor mental disability that has not yet been diagnosed, according to the affidavit.
His decision to attend the party at all is part of what makes the case stand out. He had hesitated for an hour before joining the gathering, by his own account to deputies, and was attacked after his friend briefly left to drive other guests home.
What Investigators Are Still Doing
The victim was able to identify Bowers and Stripling, but deputies say others took part and they are still working to identify them. Detectives say they especially want to speak with the cameraman.
“Detectives would still like to speak with others involved, including the cameraman,” the sheriff’s office wrote on Facebook.
Anyone with information is asked to call 386-248-1777 or email Det. Larry Meeks at [email protected]. Additional charges are possible as the investigation continues.
Stripling and Bowers are due back in court on Dec. 8.
Sources
- Disabled man gets up the courage to socialize at bonfire only to be pummeled by 2 teens who told him to 'smile' while filming the attack: Cops – AOL
- Trick 'r Treat
- Two teens accused of beating man with disabilities at Florida bonfire party
- Video released of Port Orange men brutally attacking disabled man at party
- Teens record themselves pummeling mentally and physically handicapped man at bonfire: Cops
Photo: Volusia Sheriff's Office (Public domain)
