Lutz, Florida - The video posted on YouTube is violent. It shows Alexander Fernandez, 21, getting robbed and thumped on the head with a baseball bat. You can hear the camera operator urge people on. "Take his money, take his money."
The attacked happened March 31st in the parking lot of the Hang Out bar in Lutz. According to the Hillsborough Sheriff's Office, Fernandez was punched inside the bar, he went to his car to get a bat and then he was tackled from behind. The beating left him bruised and bloody.
Deputies
say William Bogan was the guy with the camera. He's been arrested and charged with asking others to commit strong armed robbery. During a search of Bogan's residence four other men (including two who appeared on the video) were arrested for marijuana possession.
Bar patron Clark Gottschalk finds the video violence shocking. "It's crazy. I can't imagine anyone doing that and I can't imagine what the purpose would be."
The victim's father tells 10 Connects that his son still suffers memory loss from the beating and the family is exploring legal action against the bar.
Bar owners did not respond to requests for comment on Thursday. It calls itself a neighborhood place, but what happened here and captured on video was far from neighborly.
Investigators say Bogan made copies of the video and even distributed them a few days later at the bar. From there it made its way to YouTube.
YouTube took down the video Thursday afternoon, but while disturbing, it could lead to
more arrests. Investigators hope the public can help them find the individuals who wielded the bat and those that took the victim's money.
