5 minors arrested in beating of off-duty Marines at Southern California beach

SAN CLEMENTE, Calif. (AP) — Five juveniles have been arrested on suspicion of being involved in the beating of three off-duty Marines by a large group of youths on a Southern California pier, authorities said.

The assault happened shortly before 10 p.m. Friday in the city of San Clemente near Camp Pendleton, a Marine Corps base. Video circulating online showed a melee with victims on the ground being kicked until a woman and a man broke it up.

Arriving deputies initially found two victims but then determined a third Marine was also assaulted, the Orange County Sheriff’s Department said in a statement Tuesday.

Firefighters provided medical aid to the Marines, who declined to be taken to a hospital.

Four boys and one girl were arrested Tuesday and booked for investigation of assault with a deadly weapon, the statement said. Their ages were not specified.

“Due to the suspects being juveniles, no further information will be released regarding them at this time,” the department said. “Also, due to the nature of the incident and the large number of individuals involved, the investigation is ongoing.”