ST. CLOUD, FL — Two additional Harmony High School students have been arrested, bringing the total number of arrests to 11 in connection with a brutal attack on a 17-year-old student who defended a girl being bullied. The victim suffered facial injuries requiring 11 stitches.
According to the Osceola County Sheriff’s Office, the two additional suspects, ages 15 and 16, were identified during an ongoing investigation into the October 16, 2026, incident.
The attack began after the victim intervened when students were throwing carrots at a female student inside the school cafeteria. Following a verbal confrontation, the victim attempted to de-escalate the situation by walking away with his girlfriend.
Later that afternoon, the victim was walking toward his vehicle near a tunnel outside Harmony High School when he was attacked by a group of students who repeatedly punched him in the face and head.
The victim’s mother transported him to a hospital, where he received 11 stitches to close wounds on his face.
Nine students were initially arrested on October 21 and charged with felony aggravated battery and felony inciting a riot.
On October 29, deputies arrested two additional male students, ages 15 and 16, on the same felony charges. Both were transported to the Juvenile Assessment Center.
The latest arrests bring the total number of students charged in connection with the attack to 11.
Osceola County Sheriff Chris Blackmon previously condemned the attack, praising the victim for standing up against bullying.
“He is the brave one, the 9 teens that chose violence against him are the cowards,” Blackmon stated following the initial arrests.
SOURCE: OSCEOLA COUNTY SHERIFF’S OFFICE
