2 NYC teens arrested for stabbing, stomping on classmate's head in 'unsettling' violence caught on video

Warning: This article contains a recollection of crime and can be triggering to some, readers’ discretion advised.

NEW YORK, NEW YORK CITY: Two teenagers from New York City have been taken into custody following their involvement in a disturbing incident where they were caught on camera stomping on a classmate's head during a violent assault.

Both suspects, aged 17, were also stabbed during the altercation at Martin Van Buren High School in Queens on Thursday. Fortunately, their injuries were non-life-threatening, and they are currently in stable condition.

Shocking footage of the brawl, released by the District Attorney, depicts the victim being pushed down the stairs and slammed into a door before a group of boys pounce on him.

Victim suspected of stabbing two boys asserts self-defense

Shortly after the police officers arrived at the school, they apprehended the victim, who was suspected of stabbing the two boys and escorted him to the 105th Precinct.

However, the victim asserted self-defense and presented authorities with a social media video of the attack to substantiate his claim.

As a result of the altercation, the victim sustained bruising to his face and eye.

According to a fellow student, "I was trying to walk my girlfriend to her class and as we got to the staircase we saw them get in an altercation. These two boys and he pulled out a knife and stabbed the other one."

Following the altercation, the first alleged assailant underwent a search in the principal's office, where he was found in possession of a 9mm semi-automatic Smith & Wesson pistol loaded with a round in the chamber and seven rounds in the magazine.

The school implemented a soft lockdown procedure, during which teachers secured classroom doors and turned off lights; however, this protocol was lifted by 3 pm.

What did the District Attorney claim?

According to Queens District Attorney Melinda Katz, the brutality witnessed in the assault is profoundly disturbing regardless of the circumstances. 

Katz said in a statement. “The brutality was chilling under any circumstance, but that it occurred in what parents should be able to assume is a safe place for their children is as unsettling as the violence captured on video. We will not allow the critical role public schools play in the life of our city to be brazenly and violently jeopardized.”

As reported by the Daily Mail, if found guilty, the two defendants could face up to 15 years in prison.

At least four other individuals involved in the attack, as seen in the video, have not yet been apprehended.

In the footage of the assault, one of the assailants tackles the victim down the stairs in a school corridor, forcefully slamming him into a metal door. 

Subsequently, the pair crash through the door and additional students descend upon the victim, who is lying defenseless on the floor, subjecting him to kicks and attempts to stomp on his head. Briefly, someone appears to assist him to his feet before another attacker kicks him in the head.

The victim is then dragged over to the stairs, where at least four other boys pile on top of him, raining punches down on him.

Eventually, the group disperses, leaving the victim and one remaining assailant to engage in a physical altercation in the stairwell.

The District Attorney's office stated, "Both defendants, along with four others who have not yet been apprehended, kicked, stomped and punched the victim multiple times in the head and body while the victim was in a prone position on the floor."

Furthermore, both defendants sustained stab wounds during the altercation, with one stabbed in the stomach and the other in the shoulder.

Fortunately, neither of the injuries is life-threatening, and both individuals are said to be in stable condition.

What are the charges placed on teenagers?

The first alleged attacker faces charges including attempted gang assault in the first degree, attempted assault in the first degree, assault in the second degree, two counts of criminal possession of a weapon in the second degree, and criminal possession of a weapon on school grounds.

The second individual is charged with attempted gang assault in the first degree, attempted assault in the first degree, assault in the first degree, and assault in the second degree.

They are scheduled to appear in court on February 8.