30 May 2023 , 15:45
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Three US Marines were savagely beaten by a gang of 40 teenagers after a firework argument, horrific footage has revealed.
The victims were on patrol along the beach in San Clemente, California, US, when they were allegedly attacked by the teens at around 10pm on Friday evening - the start of Memorial Day weekend.
In one of the frightening videos, two of the victims can be seen curled up in the fetal position on the ground as the mob continued to kick, swear, and throw racial slurs at them.
A third Marine was also attacked but he was not shown in the harrowing footage.
Orange County Sheriff's deputies have confirmed the men sustained minor injuries and refused to be transported to a nearby hospital for treatment.
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One of the teenagers viciously kicks the Marines (San Clemente Life/Facebook)
Members of the public tried to intervene (San Clemente Life/Facebook)Nine teens have since been arrested in connection with the incident.
Four males and one female were charged with assault with a deadly weapon and admitted to the juvenile hall, the Orange County Sheriff's Department said in a statement on Tuesday, May 30.
Another four minors have also reportedly been charged with misdemeanor assault and battery, according to CBS News.
In a statement, police said: "Due to the suspects being juveniles, no further information will be released regarding them at this time. Also, due to the nature of the incident and the large number of individuals involved, the investigation is ongoing."
In the minute-long video, the Marines are in their normal clothes when they were walking up to the steps outside the Pier Bowl.
Hunter Antonio revealed he was the victim of an attack (CBS News Los Angeles)A group of teenagers can then been seen shouting before a male teen brutally punches the back of one of the Marine's heads.
He then turned around and charged at the offender which then prompted a huge brawl as the teenager's friends took it in turns to launch punches.
The group circled around the two Marines yelling 'Get that f***er' and 'f*** that f***er up' before using a racist slur.
The teenagers eventually stopped after two members of the public intervened and yelled at them "stop, what are you doing?".
Hunter Antonio, one of the Marines, said he and his friend were enjoying some time off from Camp Pendleton when the crowd began setting off fireworks.
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They curled up in the fetal position (San Clemente Life/Facebook)The Marine recalled how a piece of debris hit him in the face.
"They were lighting off fireworks, they were being belligerent and obnoxious and annoying other people, so I went up to them and told them to stop."
Mr Antonio believes he has concussion from the attack after he was left with blood streaming down his face.
"My face still has blood on it,' he said. 'It wasn't cool at all."
The Marines were violently kicked (San Clemente Life/Facebook)An investigation into the horrendous attack is underway by police and the teens could face charges of assault with a deadly weapon "because of the amount of suspects we are investigating", according to ,' Sheriff Sgt. Frank Gonzalez.
He said: "The weapons that were used were their feet while these victims were on the ground.
"So regardless if the victims choose prosecution or choose medical attention, the sheriff's department is going to investigate this to the fullest and try to determine who the suspects are."