Video leads to 4 arrests in Tiger Bay State Forest bonfire beating

Volusia County deputies have made two more arrests in connection with a violent beating caught on video at a bonfire party in Tiger Bay State Forest, bringing the total number of people in custody to four.

Investigators say all four suspects face enhanced felony charges. Volusia County Sheriff Mike Chitwood says he is confident everyone involved has been identified and arrested.

“When I first saw it, the first reaction was I want to throw up. You’re beating an individual that basically has one arm is what you’re doing and some other issues. And you think it’s cool. I don’t — I don’t — I don’t get it,” Chitwood said.

Chitwood says the beating happened during a bonfire party in Tiger Bay State Forest and lasted approximately 30 to 40 minutes. The victim is 19 years old.

“He has some physical disabilities, goes to a bonfire party with a friend. He’s pretty shy. He doesn’t really know anybody. He doesn’t want to participate. Eventually he does. And then you saw where these morons — actually, we’ve dubbed them scumbags of the week — they decide that is going to be a really good idea to beat somebody down who can’t defend themselves,” Chitwood said.

The video was recorded and circulated on Snapchat. Cody Stripling, 18, and Sebastian Bowers, 19, were the first to be identified and arrested. Logan Levesque, 18, and Casey Knight, 19 — the man deputies say recorded the video — were subsequently taken into custody and face the same charges.

“You have a duty to intervene, but you want to be a cameraman. You want to get clicks and you want to film your punk coward ass friends. You’re going to get the same treatment that they’re going to get,” Chitwood said.

Investigators say the suspects claimed the victim made a comment about a woman at the party. Deputies say the victim suffered a concussion and several minor injuries.

“How did you raise your kid that this is a good thing and no one trying to stop it, right? Nobody intervenes. They beat him down, they film it and they’re laughing. And then eventually, his friend is able to get him out of there. And then they waited a day before mom calls us,” Chitwood said.

All four suspects are currently being held in jail without bond.