Teens charged as adults in brutal beating of homeless man
Previous coverage: Three teens arrested for attempted murder
Tampa police arrested three teenagers on attempted murder and hate crime charges following a violent spree on July 13 that left a man fighting for his life in critical condition. FOX 13's Blake DeVine reports.
TAMPA, Fla. - Three teens accused of beating and critically injuring a homeless man in Tampa are now being charged as adults.
Tampa attack investigation
What we know:
The Hillsborough State Attorney's Office said 13-year-old Samari Bryant, 14-year-old Corliss Sirmons and 16-year-old Javonnie Council have been charged as adults with second-degree attempted murder.
The three teens admitted to targeting homeless people on July 13 because "they were bored." Prosecutors said the teens told police that they repeatedly beat the 64-year-old homeless man, who was found outside a Walgreens along Nebraska Avenue.
Police said they found the victim on the ground with cuts on his face, significant swelling and a crooked nose. He was rushed to the hospital with a traumatic brain injury, broken ribs and severe injuries all over his body.
Samari Bryant, 13, Javonnie Council, 16, and Corliss Sirmons, 14, were arrested in connection with violent beatings of homeless individuals in Tampa. Courtesy: Tampa Police Department.
Officials said the victim wasn't able to tell police about what happened due to having a medically necessary ventilator after the beating.
Hillsborough state attorney statement
What they're saying:
Hillsborough State Attorney Suzy Lopez released the following statement:
"Charging a juvenile as an adult is one of the most serious decisions we make, and it is never one we take lightly. But we also have a responsibility to protect this community and stand up for victims who cannot stand up for themselves. These defendants went looking for a homeless person to target because they were bored. They found a vulnerable older man and beat him so brutally that he was left with a traumatic brain injury and unable to speak for himself from his hospital bed. No human being should be treated as a target for someone else’s entertainment. Given the severity of the violence and the disturbing nature of these defendants’ actions, these charges are appropriate and necessary to hold each defendant accountable for this crime."
Juvenile detention status
What's next:
The teens are also facing six separate charges related to a car burglary investigation.
They will be transferred from a juvenile detention center to an adult facility. Prosecutors said they will push for the teens to be held without bond until trial.
The Source: The information in this story was gathered from the Hillsborough State Attorney's Office, who detailed the adult charges and released a statement regarding the investigation.