Teen Charged After Video Of Fight Is Posted On Facebook
MIAMI (CBSMiami) – Miami-Dade Police say two people, including a teenager, have been arrested after someone posted a video of them on social media beating another person.
It happened last month at a residence at 10020 SW 12th Street. According to his arrest affidavit, Alexander Baztan, 18, began arguing with another person identified as 21-year-old Adriano Boniche.
As the fight escalated, Baztan reportedly began to punch Boniche repeatedly. When he fell to the ground, Baztan continued to punch and kick him, according to the report.
Boniche suffered a shattered cheek bone, which required surgery, along with a number of cuts on right side of head which needed stitches.
The fight, which was caught on video, was posted on Facebook.
Baztan was arrested on Wednesday. During questioning he reportedly admitted to punching and kicking Boniche as he lay on the ground. He denied however that he was the one who posted the video online. Baztan was arrested and charged with one count of aggravated battery.
As he came before a judge in bond court, Baztan said, "Someone else posted it." Miami-Dade Police said they are not sure who posted the video on Facebook.
They have also charged 19-year-old Eduardo Rodriguez in connection with the beating.
During his first appearance, Baztan told the judge he was only defending himself. He said he had just gotten a job and wanted to go back to school so he could join the Navy after he graduates.
The judge set Baztan's bond at $7,500 and told him to stay away from Boniche.
CBS4's Peter D'Oench spoke with Baztan's grandmother, Zoila Torres.
"I don't know what happened to him," she told D'Oench. "But people tell me he is in trouble. He's my grandson. I love him. He's a good boy. He's very nice, a good boy."
"This surprises you?" asked D'Oench.
"Yes," she said. "Si. Si. He's not been in trouble before."
A check of records shows that while Baztan has not been arrested before, he does have a series of traffic infractions in the past two years. Records show he's been cited for careless driving, speeding in a school zone, driving without a license and not stopping for a stop sign.
Baztan faces an appearance in traffic court within the next week.
D'Oench spoke with Boniche at his Kendall condominium where he lives with his mother. Off camera, he said he had no comment and did not want to talk about the incident.
