Man Arrested In Downtown Beatdown
BALTIMORE (WJZ) -- A brutal beating is caught on tape. Now, police say they've arrested one of the suspects behind the vicious attack.
Weijia Jiang has more on what that suspect is saying.
WJZ was there when 20-year-old Aaron Parsons turned himself into police.
"This was an error at worse and uh... he's a good person," said Parsons' lawyer, Warren Brown.
Before he went to authorities, Parsons went to a local TV station for an interview. He says he's sorry for what got him arrested.
In the video gone viral, Parsons approaches a man behind him in green. A rowdy crowd gathers. Then it appears Parsons grabs something from the victim, who shoves his hand away. Moments later, Parsons hits the man.
"What he did was heinous. What he's accused of doing is heinous," said Baltimore City Police spokesman Anthony Guglielmi.
It didn't stop at the punch. Once the victim was down, others kicked and hit him more. Then they strip him of all his clothes as bystanders do nothing but laugh.
"In the onset of this case, we didn't have a lot to go on. It's like trying to find a needle in a haystack. It wasn't until that big break--that video--we were able to get community intelligence," said Guglielmi.
Now, police are looking for at least three more suspects.
"They can't sit back and say they didn't do it because they're videotaped on there doing it," said Baltimore resident Amy.
Several people from as far away as California called to identify Parsons--a well-known Baltimore party promoter and graduate of Mount Carmel High School, where he played basketball.
Parsons is being held on $1 million bond.
"Just to know they're off the streets makes me feel better--one less fool out there," said Broady Best.
Parsons faces a long list of charges, including robbery and first-degree assault.
The victim is only identified as a 31-year-old man from Arlington, Va. Among the items reportedly stolen was a $1,300 watch.
