OWASSO, Okla.- Owasso police are investigating an after school fight Friday that quickly got out of control.
Video of the fight showing an older man getting punched is quickly going viral.
Police arrived to QuikTrip Friday afternoon near 129th East Ave. to a large crowd of teens surrounding a fight
taking place on the property.
They later found out that a retired police officer tried to break it up – and was hit in the process.
“Bam, he hit the guy in the face and I'm just like that's just not right. That can't be happening,” said resident Roger Phillips.
In just one day, the video has been posted over twelve-thousand times online.
A fight with a cheering audience – and a man who tried to intervene – who got more than he bargained for.
“Seeing people not only slap a grandpa but then laugh at him...that goes against everything I’ve been taught growing up,” said resident Sawyer Murphy. “So I don't know what's wrong with these kids if they think that's cool or funny.”
Witnesses say police soon arrived and broke the crowd up that day.
But the video was shared so many times, it caught the attention of detectives. Now social media is actually helping the investigation.
“It’s a two-edged sword but it did give us a lot of information in this case,” said Owasso police Lieutenant Nick Boatman. “We've now identified all involved in the video, we're going to be speaking with everybody and see where the investigation needs to go.”
Police did not identify the retired officer who was struck, but they plan on enforcing loitering laws more in the area.
Residents say they hope a lesson is learned.
“If there's any way any of the kids in the fight, especially the one that slapped him, could be punished whether it be through the classroom or the parents, i think that's the best way,” said Murphy.
“The man has stood up for our country, our city, our government, whatever he worked in...he has proven himself worthy of being a man like that and these kids had no right to do that to him,” said Phillips.
So far, no arrests have been made in this case.
Police say it's up to the victims to determine whether any charges will be pursued. But they do plan on making sure parents of any juveniles involved are informed about what happened.
Owasso QuikTrip Fight VideoOn Friday, April 8th 2016 Owasso Police responded to a report of a physical fight at the...
Posted by Owasso Police Department on Saturday, April 9, 2016
Watch the fight video in the player below. WARNING: Video contains graphic content.
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