Police are investigating a viral video showing a teenage boy being assaulted by a group of students in Merotai Besar after the victim lodged a report following the incident.
The attack is believed to have taken place at Jalan Sri Delima at around 12 noon last Friday, when the 14-year-old victim and three of his friends were walking through a shortcut near an oil palm plantation on their way to Merotai Besar Mosque for Friday prayers.
Acting Tawau district police chief Superintendent Wilynton Enchana Watt said a report was received at 8.09pm, prompting the Criminal Investigation Division at the Tawau district police headquarters to open an investigation.
He said the victim and the group of students involved were believed to know each other, and they were initially approached and questioned about the whereabouts of two individuals.
One of the group then allegedly assaulted the victim, with several others joining in the attack, while the victim’s three friends were also beaten during the incident.
The teenager suffered injuries to his face, head, chest and ribs and was sent to Tawau Hospital for treatment.
The case is being investigated under Section 147 of the Penal Code for rioting, while police are continuing efforts to identify and locate those involved.
No arrests have been made so far, with police actively tracking down the suspects to assist in the investigation.
