Brutal beating in Perth Amboy sparks community outrage
The incident happened on the same night as the Dominican festival. The attack was caught on camera and has now gone viral on social media.
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A brutal beating in Perth Amboy over the weekend has sparked fear and outrage in the community. Residents say many other incidents like this in the city go unnoticed.
The incident happened on the same night as the Dominican festival. The attack was caught on camera and has now gone viral on social media.
“It is bad. I don’t like that, and it is tragic because that’s your people,” says 16-year-old John Estevez.
Estevez says that this latest incident is another wake-up call for the city.
“This whole week has been…Amboy is just not good right now,” Estevez says.
RELATED: Police investigate brutal beating caught on video in Perth Amboy
Images from the incident show the young man lying on the ground. He appears to be unconscious. The ground around him is seen kicking and stomping on his face. Miraculously, the victim survived.
News 12 New Jersey has obtained exclusive video of the victim while he was in the hospital. Authorities say the has since been released and is expected to be OK.
Officials say that attack happened just before 9 p.m. Sunday on Brighton Avenue. The traditional Dominican Festival of Perth Amboy was taking place this same night.
“We tried to do what’s best. We had two checkpoints. We had them checking for alcohol, weapons,” says Fermin de Jesus, president of United Dominicans of Perth Amboy, the group that organized the festival. “[The attack] was about three or four blocks away from the festival.”
It was not clear what prompted the attack. Perth Amboy police say they are looking for those who are responsible.
“Although it doesn't stain the festival, it stains the city, the state,” de Jesus says. “That’s the reason I tell people if you know something, say something.”
Anyone with information is urged to contact the Perth Amboy Police Department at 732-324-3800.
