Teen beaten, choked at North Carolina bonfire; 3 arrested, 6 more juveniles face charges
The 16-year-old victim suffered broken teeth and ruptured blood vessels after the assault was captured on video
A 16-year-old Black teen was beaten, choked, spat on, and struck with a bottle during a bonfire gathering outside Grifton in Lenoir County, North Carolina, on May 24. Video clips of the assault were captured by bystanders and later posted in the private Facebook group “Word of Mouth Kinston,” quickly going viral across social media yesterday (June 18). Three adults and multiple juveniles now face charges, including felony assault by strangulation and conspiracy.
The Lenoir County Sheriff’s Office has identified everyone in the video and is actively investigating. Sheriff Jackie Rogers confirmed the victim’s injuries, requested a State Bureau of Investigation review for transparency, and stated the case does not appear racially motivated, describing it as stemming from a personal dispute. The victim continues to receive medical care, and the family is seeking awareness rather than donations. Additional charges are expected as the case proceeds.
Video Footage Captures Brutal Assault at Bonfire
The disturbing video clips show a group of juveniles and young adults gathered around a nighttime bonfire at 4844 Sharon Church Road outside Grifton. A female with long dark hair delivers a sudden sucker punch to the 16-year-old victim. Another individual immediately takes him to the ground as the assault escalates.
In the footage, the victim is held in an extended chokehold while others strike him. A phone camera is placed directly in front of his face, recording his distress at close range. A separate clip shows a different individual applying another chokehold. A female voice is heard repeatedly telling the attacker to release the hold. The victim appears stunned and becomes unresponsive on the ground afterward.
Bystanders are visible filming the incident rather than intervening. One of the clips also shows a liquor bottle near the bonfire area. The three separate video segments, which together document the sequence of events on May 24, were initially shared in the private “Word of Mouth Kinston” Facebook group before spreading rapidly across social media.
Multiple Arrests Made with Serious Charges Filed
As of press time, the Lenoir County Sheriff’s Office has made several arrests in the case. Ashton Clark, 18, of Lenoir County, was charged with felony assault by strangulation and conspiracy. He was placed in the Lenoir County Jail under a $50,000 secured bond. Landon Harris, 19, of Pitt County, faces charges of cyberbullying and conspiracy and was held under a $2,500 secured bond. A 17-year-old juvenile was charged with felony assault by strangulation and conspiracy and taken to a secure juvenile detention facility.
Six additional juveniles have been identified and are expected to face charges ranging from assault with a deadly weapon and simple assault to conspiracy. These cases will be handled through the juvenile justice system. A teenage girl seen delivering the initial punch in the video is also expected to be charged with assault. In total, approximately nine or more individuals are facing accountability, with additional arrests or charges anticipated as the investigation continues.
The swift identifications and charges followed the viral spread of the video. Sheriff Jackie Rogers emphasized that everyone involved will be held accountable based on the facts and evidence.
Public Concerns and Family Ties Addressed by the Sheriff
Sheriff Jackie Rogers issued a detailed public statement to directly address widespread social media discussion and rumors surrounding the case. He confirmed that the victim is an African American male juvenile who sustained injuries and received medical treatment. The victim and his father reported the assault to the Sheriff’s Office on June 15.
Rogers specifically clarified the family connection after online speculation: “The young lady seen punching the victim in the video is not my niece. She is a second cousin on my wife’s side of the family.” Drawing on his more than 34 years in law enforcement, he stated, “I firmly believe that the law applies equally to everyone.”
He noted that he was first notified of the incident on the morning of June 18 at approximately 8:20 a.m., by which time deputies had already begun investigating and interviewing witnesses. To ensure complete transparency and maintain public confidence—especially given the family tie and intense online scrutiny—Sheriff Rogers requested that the North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation review the entire investigation. He emphasized the office’s commitment to a fair, thorough, and impartial process, with everyone held accountable based on the facts and evidence.
Officials Cite Personal Dispute as Motive, Not Racial Bias
The Lenoir County Sheriff’s Office has consistently stated that the case “does not appear to be racially motivated at this time.” Multiple updates from Sheriff Jackie Rogers and investigators describe the assault as stemming from a personal or relationship dispute between the juveniles involved rather than bias or hate.
Reports indicate the incident originated from tensions related to a breakup between the victim and his ex-girlfriend. Some coverage also references issues involving stolen items. Authorities have characterized the attack as planned and coordinated among the group at the bonfire. In response to public speculation about racial motivations, officials noted that at least one of the individuals involved is biracial.
No charges have been filed under North Carolina’s ethnic intimidation statute, and the matter is not being investigated as a hate crime under state or federal provisions. Instead, it is being handled as a standard assault and conspiracy case through the criminal justice system, with appropriate charges applied based on evidence of the physical acts and planning.
Sheriff Rogers has emphasized accountability for all involved. Meanwhile, the sheriff is requesting the SBI review to address community concerns and ensure the investigation’s integrity remains beyond question.
Video Spreads Rapidly Across Facebook
The three video clips documenting the assault were initially shared inside the private “Word of Mouth Kinston” Facebook group. It is a local discussion page reportedly connected to the victim. Once posted, the footage spread quickly beyond the private group. Members and others shared the clips more widely across Facebook starting yesterday (June 18).
The rapid dissemination was driven by the graphic and disturbing nature of the nighttime bonfire recordings. Each recording captured multiple angles of the incident in quick succession. Within hours, the videos circulated far outside the original group through reposts, downloads, and cross-platform sharing. As a result, it reached thousands of viewers and received widespread attention across Facebook and related social media channels.
Awareness-oriented posts helped extend the reach by focusing on the need for visibility. These shares explicitly noted that the family was not seeking donations or a GoFundMe, with the stated goal of ensuring the incident was not overlooked. The swift viral movement of the footage directly contributed to the Sheriff’s Office learning of the broader public interest and accelerating their public communications.
Investigation Remains Active
The Lenoir County Sheriff’s Office continues its investigation into the May 24 assault. Additional charges against the remaining juveniles are expected, and the case is proceeding through both adult and juvenile justice channels. Sheriff Jackie Rogers’ request for a North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation review aims to provide an independent assessment and reinforce public confidence in the process.
Anyone with additional information is asked to contact the Lenoir County Sheriff’s Office. No timeline has been released for completion of the investigation or the SBI review. The victim continues to receive medical care after leaving the immediate area. This case highlights ongoing community attention to incidents involving juveniles in eastern North Carolina.