Mob of 40 teens beat 3 Marines at California beach

May 30, 2023 | Political News

Three US Marines were assaulted by a crowd of teenagers on Friday at a California beach, according to police.

One of the victims, Hunter Antonino, told KCAL-TV that the teenagers were acting aggressively and lighting firecrackers at the beach in the San Clemente Pier Bowl area and when he asked them to stop he was hit in the head with debris and the fight started.

Videos from the incident showed a large group of teenagers assaulting the Marines and one teenager throwing a punch from behind one of the victims and starting the brawl.

Two of the victims ended up on the ground in the fetal position while the teens punched and kicked them before two other adults finally broke up the crowd.

Sgt. Mike Woodroof of the Orange County Sheriff's Office said they are working to identify the teens involved in the attack and that the Marines were treated for injuries at the scene but refused additional treatment at a hospital.

According to a statement from the department, it is increasing patrols in the area, and “The Orange County Sheriff’s Department will continue investigating this matter until all individuals responsible are identified and prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.”

San Clemente Mayor Chris Duncan told KCAL, “Look, this is San Clemente, Marines are always welcome here, always gonna be celebrated, always be taken care of. And that's why this is so particularly tragic.”