West Deptford police are investigating a fierce beating captured in a video that has gone viral online. The video, which has been viewed more than 2.3 million times since it was posted to Facebook on Tuesday, shows a man punching, dragging, and kicking a teenage boy who is curled up on a couch in a West Deptford residence. The assailant warns the victim not to move, and threatens to kill the teen if police are called. It wasn't clear who filmed the attack or how the Facebook user, who posted the video with a #STOPBULLYING2016 hashtag, obtained it. Both parties have been identified, police said, and the juvenile victim is safe. He is not related to the man. "We're having complete cooperation with the suspect at this point," West Deptford Deputy Police Chief Sean McKenna said. "So we should be wrapping up this investigation late Monday or Tuesday." He described the assault as an "unfortunate incident that should have never taken place," but said police want to obtain statements from all witnesses before deciding whether to press charges. The Gloucester County Prosecutor's Office said it gave legal advice to the department about what charges could be brought, but that it's up to the department to make that decision. The assault occurred Jan. 30 at a home of someone other than the man and teenager, who are not West Deptford residents, McKenna said. Someone tipped off police to the incident about a week ago, and investigators had seen the video before it was posted on Facebook this week. McKenna urged the public to show restraint and not retaliate against any of the individuals involved in the video. "There's been quite a bit of outrage," he said. "And we want to curb the violence." He said police are still trying to determine what incited the incident. The video begins with the attacker, who appears to be in his 20s, standing over the victim, who is sitting on a couch, and asking, "You think I'm playing with you?" The man then punches him several times. "Tony, Tony," someone in the background calls out to the man, who then tells that person to shut up and continues punching the teenager. He then pulls the teenager off the couch and tells him, "I will destroy you, do you hear me? Are you going to the cops?" "No, bro," the teenager replies. "Clean yourself up," the man says. "If the cops call, you're dead. Do you understand me?" The teenager replies, "Yes," and the man kicks him in the ribs and then says, "Take care of yourself," before the video ends. Police, on their Facebook page, are asking the public for patience. "We ask that you allow our department and the appropriate agencies to handle this matter," the police department said on Facebook, "so it can come to the proper resolution."

• published: 24 Mar 2016
• views: 143