'Bumfight' Videos Inspired Joy-Killing

(CBS)  Teenagers call it "bum-hunting" and it is a perverse national trend. Across the country, packs of teenage boys are stalking homeless people and attacking them, shooting them with paintball guns, beating them with baseball bats, even dousing them with gasoline and setting them on fire. Over the last five years, at least one homeless person has been murdered each month, for no apparent reason.

Homeless advocates say that if any other group was being targeted like this, there'd be a national outcry. But as correspondent Ed Bradley reports, the only thing that seems to spark any outrage is when one of these attacks is captured on video.

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Last January in Fort Lauderdale, Fla., two teenagers were caught on video surveillance tape as they beat a homeless man with baseball bats and ran away. The man survived. But that same night, the same kids beat another homeless man, 45-year-old Norris Gaynor, to death.

Seventeen-year-old Thomas Daugherty and 18-year-old Brian Hooks were identified by more than a dozen classmates as the boys on the tape. Still, they pled "not guilty" and are awaiting trial.

Since people living on the streets usually don't report crime, there are no reliable government statistics. But the National Coalition for the Homeless, using local news reports and other sources, says that since 1999 there have been more than 500 such attacks, resulting in 180 deaths.

One of those killed was 53-year-old Michael Roberts, who was attacked in Holly Hill, Fla. in May 2005. Four teens, aged 14 through 18 confessed to the crime, saying they stumbled across Roberts in the woods where they had gone to smoke pot. Off and on over three hours, they beat him to death.

Jeffrey Spurgeon was the oldest member of the group. "The main thing that I can't keep out of my head. That I keep thinking about 24/7 is Michael asking for help, and asking us stop, and screaming for help," Spurgeon says.

Bradley met Spurgeon at his new home, a state prison in Jasper, Fla., where he has been sentenced to spend the next 35 years. He told 60 Minutes his 14-year-old, 220-pound friend, Chris Scamahorn, started the attack.

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[ks29ps17007]

I believe this Ryan person is very responisble and has no clue what life can deal a person, any person. As far as tose teenage punks who are beating up the defensless may they stay in jail longer than 35 years. Than when they get out have the same thing happen to them. I do believe it is Karma. No-one has a right to touch anyone in that way. AS far as Ryan is concerned again he'll get what's coming to him one way or another. Again Karma. These punks were'nt bullied they are just over privileged. Same on the parents if that is what what you call it, Thay didn't do a very good job of raising their kids. Shame on them all. God Bless All the victims and the homeles and may he watch over them always. My prayers are with you all. As far as the perpatraters may you all rot in H--- ! ! !

[supersonogirl]

I found it interesting that none of these boys committing these horrific acts on homeless people, had parents that contributed to this piece. So, so sad. This was a real eyeopener. I hope I have taught my children better. Overall, I thought the piece was well-done... right up until the end, where you said, "and you can still get your copy online." Nice. Glad you're not contributing to sales. Do you get a cut?? THAT was just as sad.

[rowekishi_35]

You can blame the parents, you can blame the teachers, you can blame society, but really you should only blame yourselves. (Don't call me a hypocrite as I was blaming the video "bumfights" ealier. I honestly believe that people influenced by these videos are weak-minded, so we have to protect them from themselves by pulling these videos off shelves.) People have to take some responsibility for their actions. They should be made to pay for them. Those kids who beat two bums in one night, killing one got off with just a year. Correct? Ridiculous! People should pay for their mistakes and not be allowed such easy punishments, minor or not!

[rowekishi_35]

I'm much in agreement with politikz. I watched this news report and had to change the channel because it made me sick to my stomach. I cannot believe how cruel some humans can be to others. Laughing at the misfortunes of somebody so desperate or addicted that they would do anything for money or alcohol is quite despicable, Desmond_G. As for you babycakes, what are YOU doing to help the homeless? I believe just taking those videos off of the market would do them some justice considering the videos seem to be influencing weak-minded kids to do such horrible things. Didn't you just read the article where the kids were chanting, "bumfights! bumfights!" while beating a man? If you want my opinion on what is a "shame, shame, shame" it's that your parents never taught you how to spell. (believe, gosh, might, either, etc.) Honestly though, I am simply saddened that our society has fallen so low that we always prey on the innocents, the children, the homeless, animals. Why is that? Why are we so obsessed with domination, with not being the "weakest link?" Why do we bully and hurt others to make ourselves feel better?

[politikz]

Desmond_G, how can you compare America's Funniest Home Videos to Bumfights and Crackheads gone wild? You are comparing a show where people send in videos of themselves and laugh along with other people to videos where people like you are laughing at other people in a miserable state! You are correct about the parenting, but, sometimes teenagers march to a different beat, and for those who lack strong parenting, this is dangerous. As for baby_cakes, there is more than one way to skin a cat. Just because someone is not out on the streets helping the homeless does not mean there not helping. How about teachers in schools trying to get teenagers to realize the value of a good education, policemen and social workers trying to steer kids down the straight and narrow path, parents being goods parents, and retailers taking responsibility and using alittle moral judgement when it comes to selling garbage that pollute young minds. I'm not writing to pointing, but, sometimes people fall down in life. It is our duty as the greatest nation not to get cheap laughs off of someone else's misery!!

[vicci2]

I had never heard of this before I just read it here online. Whenever I hear about things this insane I always have to ask myself "Who raised these people?" What kind of a mind would reason that this type of an act would be acceptable? Do they not think about how these acts affect other? Have they no empathy at all? I can't even imagine what goes through a persons mind when they are committing such evil acts. It is totally beyond my comprehension. It is a scary world we live in. Vb

[sweetstudent]

well i think event tho iam only a teen myslef, that was cruel from those boys to do such thing like that to poor poeple, and more to homeless poeple, and what they get its what they deserve and iam glad they got caught, and hopefully they will be something done about homeless being hit by teenagers.

[enragedmom]

It's called a Boycott. We can all stop supporting stores that sell this garbage and any advertisers that promote such horrible acts (whether real or acted) -- the boycott has been and effective (and non-violent) means of protest for a long time.

[f272931]

I too am outraged to learn of Bum Fights after watching 60 minutes. I will check with my local K-Mart & Circuit City to make sure they pull those off the shelf. It is despicable that someone would create such a thing & to make money from it as well.

[baby_cakes__]

What Ever Happend to Being Responsible For Your Own Actions...?Is That Gone...?If So Than Problem Solved People...! YAY,NOBODY IS AT FALT FOR ANYTHING..!Think People Think...!