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Sam Penrod and Randall Jeppesen Reporting A brutal beating in Provo last night has left a 17-year old boy in the hospital. Police say the beating was gang related, something that is becoming more common in Utah County.
The 17-year old victim is described to be in bad shape, with numerous fractures to his face and jaw, after his attackers held nothing back and used potentially deadly weapons.
This afternoon, police have made two arrests; one is a juvenile, the other is 20 year old Sergio Arcos, who police say were both involved in the aggravated assault.
When Provo police responded to a 17-year old boy who had been beaten, they found the boy was in very bad shape.
Capt. Rick Healey, Provo Police Dept.: "Several injuries to the head, back. Whatever hit him was able to break his jaw."
Police did recover several possible weapons, including a shovel from the scene.
Capt. Rick Healey, Provo Police Dept.: "Right now we've collected several things, we don't know which ones were used, but we've got a hammer and bat and shovel and some other things we think may have been possible weapons used during the fight."
Police took several teens believed to be gang members in for questioning. They say two gangs met up to settle a dispute, possibly over gang territory.
Provo police say they are seeing more of this, gang graffiti throughout all of Utah County.
Capt. Rick Healey, Provo Police Dept.: "Rival gangs tag over one and another tries to make their area known, or whatever they think they are doing."
Police say school resource officers and the Gang Task Force are trying to work with teenagers and are constantly warning them about the dangers of getting involved in a gang.
Capt. Rick Healey, Provo Police Dept.: "They just don't understand the seriousness of what they are actually doing, when they get into a gang. And they are 14-years old and all of the sudden, they come up against a gang member who is 20 or 21 years old. There is a big difference then and the seriousness of what can happen. These young kids just don't understand that."
The victim was taken to the hospital last night and has already undergone surgery on his face. Police say the victim is in bad shape, but right now it looks like he will survive; however, he will have a hard long road to recovery.
What they do not want after this beating is some kind of retaliation, where more people could get hurt.
