#JusticeForJacob: Death reports of girl recording brutal abuse turn out to be hoax, Twitter says she should've died
The juvenile involved in the brutal beating of teenager Jacob Gunderson is not dead, reports state. There were mixed reports circulating on the Internet of the juvenile's death shortly after the hashtag #JusticeForJacob became viral on social media. It was reported that the girl had received death threats as hundreds of social media users on Sunday, May 24, shared the hashtag #JusticeForJacob after a Snapchat video emerged of four teens being involved in the brutal beating of another teenager, Jacob, who was later hospitalized.
Multiple Snapchat videos were uploaded on social media on May 21, 2020, showing an inebriated Jacob being beaten for hours for allegedly stealing a vape pen and narcotics from a group of four teenagers. The videos caused an outrage, with several people reporting them to the police. The Eau Claire Police Department in Wisconsin reportedly received a complaint and initiated a probe into the incident, which led to the arrest of the four teenagers involved in the crime.
All of them were charged with battery. It was reported that although the juvenile's name was not revealed, she is in the juvenile court system. Multiple people have also launched a petition, urging authorities to try her as an adult, citing that she was the one to take the video of the assault and post it on social media.
Soon after the juvenile's death hoax on Monday, May 25, some expressed contentment, suggesting that she deserved it, while others suggested that the girl must have faked her own death to draw sympathy.
"Be careful sweetie and the other boy too," a Twitter user threatened. While another said: "I HOPE SHE & her B**** MADE A** FRIENDS GET KILLED OR GET THEIR A** BEAT.. AND THEIR FAMILIES.. f*** them bi***es. That’s not ok AT ALL."
Police said that a "defenseless male" was being beaten by another male, while three females involved in the incident encouraged the assault. The main aggressor, identified as 18-year-old Chase Passon, was contacted by police and he admitted to the assault. Passon was arrested and is reportedly being charged with battery, disorderly conduct, felony bail jumping, and possession of MDMA. The three females were identified as Ruby Jimenez-Nevarez, 18, Alexis Strenke, 18 and the said juvenile.
Authorities also said that the suspects have been facing "a large number of threats," several of which have been directed towards them and their families.
"We are aware of the large number of threats that have been directed towards the suspects and their families in this case and will follow up on those threats," police in a statement said, according to Law and Crime.
Reports claim that after they battered Jacob, they drove the bloodied teen to his grandmother's house and threw him out of the car there. He was later rushed to the hospital and is believed to be recovering. A GoFundMe page was also set up to raise funds for his medical treatment, which has raised twice its goal. Over $12,000 have been raised of $5,000 goal. There was initially a rumor doing the round that Jacob had suffered brain damage, but officials have denied the reports.
The teen's mother Becky Grouber, at a rally organized for Jacob, said: "No human being should treat another human being like that ever, no matter what the circumstances are. And while I understand everyone’s angry and they want to see justice served, justice will be served through nonviolent ways because that’s the way life is and should be."
Although police did not reveal the details of his condition, according to the criminal report, Passon admitted that Jacob was bleeding from the mouth when he last saw him. When authorities reached the hospital where Jacob was admitted, they found him unconscious with swollen and bloody lips.
Passon was reportedly handed a $2,500 signature bond. Reports state that if he is convicted on all the charges against him, he could spend over 14 years in prison. While Jimenez-Nevarez and Strenke are set to make their first court appearance on August 12.