A 15-year-old boy is on the road to a long recovery after he was attacked at a fast-food restaurant in Watts. Darsha Philips reports for the NBC4 News on May 15, 2024.
A teenager is in intensive care after he was brutally attacked by three people while eating at a fast-food restaurant in Watts.
Jason Rios, who turned 15 just days ago, is in the intensive care unit following a disturbing assault at The Habit Burger Grill restaurant, his family said. According to his loved ones, the boy was at the eatery with a friend around 6 p.m. Tuesday when a group of three violently attacked him.
“I literally have no words. I saw him and I couldn’t think about anything,” said Nayeli Rios, the victim’s older sister.
The boy called his mother for help after the attack and when she arrived, he was by himself bleeding on the ground. Once he was taken to a hospital, the doctors told Jason’s family he was so badly beaten that his brain was bleeding.
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“At that point, they told us if we don’t do the surgery, he’s going to end up dying at this moment,” Nayeli said. “Then at that moment, all of our hearts fell at that point.”
The boy underwent an eight-hour surgery. His family said his road to recovery will be a long one.
“He is intubated at the moment,” Nayeli said. “He’s under many sedatives. He has some facial swelling. We don’t know if he has his motor skills. We don’t know if he has any if he can remember us or if he can remember himself.”
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According to the teen’s family, he didn’t know the people who assaulted him. Jason's friend, who was with him at the time of the attack, was also assaulted and hospitalized as a result. He has since been released from the hospital.
The Los Angeles Police Department said one minor was arrested for attempted murder in connection with the case. Police officers are still searching for two other minors who attacked the victims.
Anyone with information on the case is urged to contact LAPD's southeast detectives at 213-972-7813. Anonymous tips can be made by contacting Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS.
