SWFL.io - Local NewsThe Lee County Sheriff's Office arrested four teenagers who are accused of beating and choking a boy unconscious at an Estero house party.
Deputies arrested Joshua Martinez, Joseph Gabrielsen, Waldo Roca, and Evan Fajardo.
According to the arrest report, a witness told deputies that she overheard multiple people talking about a fight during a house party at a home in The Place community along Corkscrew Road. Four teens reportedly struck the victim multiple times.
Roca is accused of putting the victim in a chokehold and dragging him backwards, while the other teens are accused of continuing to punch him multiple times. The victim, who attends Bishop Verot Catholic High School, fell to the ground and lost consciousness.
"Just being so close to the school, obviously, I do hear other kids talking about it," said Robert Schmidt.
Robert Schmidt heard whispers about Sunday's fight, but nothing prepared him for how brutal it really was.
"I don't know personally his condition, but to get beaten to the ground and continuously get beaten on while unconscious. It could be very harmful for him and for the rest of his life," said Schmidt.
The homeowner told deputies he ended his son's house party once the party got out of hand. He said the fight happened outside. When he later went outside, he saw the victim lying on the ground.
The victim went to Gulf Coast Medical Center for treatment. Deputies say he required stitches and underwent a CT scan.
This reported attack prompted deputies to do extra patrols at Estero High School.
People like Cedar Riley saw a few of those deputies set up on campus Monday morning.
"I never went to parties for this reason. I think that's like scary for that child, its parents and everything," said Riley.
LCSO says Youth Services and the School Threat Enforcement Team have been made aware of the arrests.
The Director of Communications with the Diocese of Venice told Gulf Coast News that Bishop Verot Catholic High School is aware of the incident where one of their students was attacked. The student was able to return to school Monday.
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