A Texas teenager admitted to randomly punching unsuspecting victims in public for social media attention, claiming he “just made a mistake” as police launched an investigation into the violent attacks.
Alford Lewis, 19, was captured on video walking on a trail at Wortham Park in Houston attacking at least two people as they enjoyed their day at the park, KHOU 11 reported.
The Harris County Sheriff’s Office launched a probe soon after the disturbing video was posted on social media and shared on the neighborhood watch app Nextdoor to identify the suspect.
The video sparked rage and concern among the park’s frequent visitors who wanted action taken against the shameless suspect.
Lewis has since come clean about his wrongdoings.
“You know, I just made a mistake and everybody makes mistakes,” the teen admitted after being tracked down and confronted outside his home, not far from the park, by the outlet.
Lewis shared that he committed the outrageous string of attacks to get likes and views for YouTube and TikTok channels.
“I really didn’t expect for it to go so left, you know,” he said.
None of the victims in the viral video fight back after being accosted by the teen — and seem more startled after being hit.
Lewis said that the video only highlights the “bad part” of his actions and does not show what happens after.
“What people don’t see is that I shook his hand after and gave the man a hug,” he claimed.
Lewis shared that his parents were disappointed by his behavior after discovering what happened.
The video received a backlash of harsh reactions due to its unprovoked, violent nature.
“Before you go out and do anything you feel is bad, or that could look bad, make sure, like, people know – or just don’t do it at all,” Lewis advised others about doing something similar for clout.
It’s unclear if any of the victims have pressed charges against the teen for his violent acts, according to the outlet.
“It’s a nice quiet neighborhood, so I’m a little surprised someone’s that brazen to come up and hit somebody without warning or without reason,” an unnamed resident who says he walks in the park four days a week told the outlet.
Lewis’s actions highlight a disturbing trend among the youth who seek to gain online fame.
In August, Philadelphia TV news anchor Bob Kelly sported a visibly swollen eye while on the air after being sucker punched in an attack he blamed on a TikTok challenge.
“It was a frightening, disturbing event that apparently was incited by this TikTok challenge — similar to what you saw happen to Cardi B, with the water and being videoed,” Kelly said.
