Pasco Sheriff Continues Search For 2 More Of Teen's Attackers

HOLIDAY, FL -- The Pasco County Sheriff's Office is continuing the search for two more men in connection with an attack on a 15-year-old Holiday teen as he was walking home from school.

The teen, Geoffrey Lehman, was robbed and beaten by four men on Overton Drive in Colonial Hills after leaving Gulf High School on Feb. 20.

The assault was captured on a neighbor's surveillance video. The Pasco County Sheriff's Office was able to identify the attackers after someone recognized one of the men in the video.

Lehman's mother, Stephanie Byrd, said her son sensed he was in danger before the attack.

"He noticed they were following him and texted me saying, 'I'm being followed,'" she said. " I immediately called him and that's when they attacked my son."

Byrd said the high school sophomore endured a brutal beating. All his attackers got away with was his cell phone, his Nike backpack and his wallet containing his learner's permit and $10. The total value of the items stolen was about $300.

"They beat him up severely. They kicked out three teeth, fractured his gum line, left multiple bruises and bumps, and left him with lifelong mental visuals of the attack," she said.

Friends have set up a GoFundMe account to help pay for the costly dental implants the teen will need.

The sheriff's office arrested 21-year-old Austin Byron Emanuel of Manton Lane in Holiday on Feb. 27 and charged him with aggravated battery and strong-armed robbery. Emanuel's cousin, Justin Schreffler, 24, of Brooksville was arrested March 2 on the same charges.

Deputies are still searching for Schreffler's brothers, 19-year-old Khristian Schreffler and 23-year-old Trenton Schreffler.

They fled the scene in an older-model teal Ford Ranger pickup truck. Pasco deputies say the truck may have been repainted a gold color since the attack.

Regan Weiss, owner of Templar Contracting, said he was so incensed when he heard about the unprovoked attack, he decided to offer a $500 reward for tips leading to the arrest of the teen's other attackers.

Anyone with information is asked to call the Pasco Sheriff at 1-800-706-2488, reference case #19-07661.

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