A father in Naples is calling for justice after his 17-year-old son was attacked by a stranger on Jul. 16 while leaving a party on 21st Avenue Southwest.
McMurray said before the attack, his son was accused of "door dinging" a car.
"The individual asked my son for $250. My son was not going to give him $250. And then what kind of progressed was these individuals kind of surrounding my son while an attacker came up from behind him and attacked him. He punched him and then proceeded to beat him pretty viciously. My son went in and out of consciousness, and the attack ended with my son being put in a chokehold," said McMurray.
"I know all this because the entire event, not only before it happened, but while it was happening, was filmed by people who were participating in watching," said McMurray.
Videos of McMurray's son getting battered have been posted on social media and received thousands of views.
McMurray said after his son was attacked, his attacker went to the McDonald's across the street along Collier Boulevard.
"He went to a McDonald's on the corner of Collier and Immokalee Road and filmed what's now a public, pretty public video of them celebrating the attacker covered in my son's blood. And he's holding up a number one sign saying, it was a team effort," said McMurray.
McMurray said when his son came home that night he barely recognized him. His son suffered several injuries including two black eyes, multiple facial lacerations, and a swollen knee. His son received stitches above his eye.
McMurray said, "This is Collier County, and everybody thinks that this is like, the safest, cleanest and to think that kids could show up in a McDonald's restaurant at one in the morning covered in blood, cheering, and nobody called the police? Not the employees at McDonald's, not the other high school kids that were watching it. Not some bystander, like no one called the police. I, I think those are some of the questions that we have to ask ourselves that people not only saw the attack, but then saw someone covered in blood celebrating in a public restaurant, and nobody thought to call somebody."
McMurray is pleading for his son's attacker and others involved to be prosecuted to the full extent.
"I would love it if he could be tried as an adult and really face some sort of consequences for what he did," said McMurray.
On Jul. 24 the Collier County Sheriff's Office released the following statement:
"We are aware of videos circulating on social media depicting an altercation between juveniles that took place July 16 in Collier County. We can confirm that at this time a juvenile has been charged with misdemeanor battery in connection with this encounter. We are also aware that many who have viewed these videos believe felony charges are in order. Under Florida law, there are very specific criteria that must be met for felony charges to be filed. The investigation is still ongoing and has included interviews with witnesses, an examination of the victim’s medical records relating to treatment of his injuries and a review of evidence including video evidence. Our detectives, as well as the State Attorney’s Office, will review the investigation to ensure that the most applicable charges allowed under Florida law are filed.