An Okeechobee teen has been charged for beating a 16 year-old boy with Autism. The incident was recorded by a cell phone and put online as reported by the Okeechobee City Police Department.
The victim told police that he was invited to the party last Friday by classmates and given alcohol. He was then told to go outside “to fight someone”- that someone was 18-year-old Andrew Wheeler.
When the victim refused, matters got worse. Andrew Wheeler showed up and brutally beat the teen. Reports say that Wheeler followed him outside, punched him repeatedly, and choked him until he was unconscious. Other people just stood around and watched.
Police found him lying in the middle of road just after midnight with contusions and a concussion.
The video recorded was found on Andrew Wheeler’s Facebook page and discovered by police. Wheeler claimed that he had been told that a “drunk guy” was punching and hitting another teen, so he took matters into his own hands. Officers say that Wheeler admitted to “losing his temper”.
“I think the video is disgusting. It is just as upsetting to myself and my officers as it is to anyone else that viewed it. Absolutely no way would we ever attempt to cover up anything like that. So it’s very disturbing,” the chief of Okeechobee city police said.
Andrew Wheeler was taken into custody and charged with child abuse without bodily harm.
*Warning: Some viewers may find this video disturbing. Watch at your own discretion.*
Images: WPTV/Youtube