Jogger Beaten After Intervening in Suspected Gang Brawl

A jogger who witnessed a suspected gang brawl at Bayhead Sports Complex suffered injuries after he attempted to call 911 Thursday afternoon.

According to the Largo Police Department, the incident took place around 4:49 p.m. when the man saw two teen teenage boys fighting at 375 Seminole Blvd. A large crowd of juveniles had gathered to watch the fight, which was taking place west of the building on the property.

The 48-year-old man happened on the scene and called 911, police wrote in an email to media. A spectator, however, noticed the man trying to call police and raised an alarm cry to the crowd. Several teens from the crowd ran after the man, who was trying to get away at that point, police wrote. One teen, a 14-year-old boy, is accused of knocking the man to the ground and hitting him. Several other teens also hit and kicked the man while he was down.

The victim suffered non-life-threatening injuries, including cuts, bruises and a broken bone, police reported.

The 14-year-old, who is not being identified by Patch, was charged with aggravated battery and tampering with a witness. Several members of the crowd, police wrote, have been identified as gang members and the initial fight is believed to be gang related.

The investigation continues.

Image via Shutterstock

See Also:

• Octogenarians’ Bingo Seat Battle Ends with Slashed Tires
• Flag-Stomping, ‘Terrorist’ Fugitive Arrested in Tampa

Keep up with what’s happening around town and the state by signing up for your favorite Patch daily newsletter: Bloomingdale-Riverview, Bradenton, Brandon, Carrollwood-Northdale, Clearwater, Dunedin, East Lake, Gulfport, Land O’ Lakes, Largo, Lutz, New Port Richey, New Tampa, Palm Harbor, Pinellas Beaches, Safety Harbor, Sarasota, Seminole Heights, South Tampa-Hyde Park, St. Pete, Tarpon Springs, Temple Terrace, Westchase.