Zachary Benton: Nardo Wick fan attack suspects including teen surrender before Tampa cops
TAMPA, FLORIDA: Two of Nardo Wick's entourage members, including a teen, handed themselves in to the police after a fan was physically assaulted for requesting a picture with the Florida rapper.
According to law enforcement sources who spoke with TMZ, Zachary L Benton, 34, and a 15-year old male, are the suspects who turned themselves in to the Tampa Police Department on Friday, December 1.
They were both charged with felony battery while the younger suspect also faces a charge of having a firearm while wearing a mask.
JUST IN: Two members of rapper Nardo Wick's entourage have finally turned themselves in after assaulting 20 year old George Obregon.
β Collin Rugg (@CollinRugg) December 3, 2023
Obregon, who was left in critical condition, was knocked out after asking Wick for a photo.
34 year old Zachary Benton and minor Edward Hamlett,β¦ pic.twitter.com/xO3XKcdHoP
Social media users have been sharing a video of the conflict, where George Obregon, 20, is seen approaching the Jacksonville rapper outside Club Skye in Ybor City.
Obregon is almost immediately struck by a blow from an individual, stunning him until another attacker knocks him to the ground, leaving him in a critical condition with a brain bleed and a concussion.
Zachary Benton threw first sucker punch to George Obregon Jr
According to TMZ, George Obregon Jr was taken by surprise when he was received the first punch from Zachary Benton. Following the sudden attack, the 15-year-old walked over and kept punching Obregon Jr until he lost consciousness.
A source close to the rapper told TMZ that both suspects were friends of friends and did not have a close relationship with Wick, whose real name is Horace Bernard Walls III.
Furthermore, a Tampa detectives spokesperson stated: "Eyewitnesses told police when the victim tried to get a picture, Benton punched him without provocation and [the teenager] then ran over and punched the victim several more times."
Wick's spokesperson earlier told Daily Mail that the story concerning bodyguards and protection is completely false. Wick's manager, Qown Wick, added: "They're not directly affiliated with Nardo."
π₯π¨DEVELOPING: The Two men accused of throwing punches in the brutal beatdown of a Nardo Wick far have turned themselves into the police.
β Dom Lucre | Breaker of Narratives (@dom_lucre) December 2, 2023
15-year-old Zachary L. Benton and a 15-year-old male turned themselves in to Tampa PD Friday night.
They are charged with felony battery.β¦ pic.twitter.com/hJpmI97Dvf
Obregon was taken to the hospital following the altercation. Following the assault, his mother Michelle Obregon told WFLA that he had a concussion and that there was blood in multiple areas of his head.
Thanking everyone for sharing the unsettling video, the Tampa police stated: "Thanks to videos submitted and anonymous tips provided, detectives were able to positively identify the suspects involved and issue an arrest warrant."
Wick addressed the claims on Instagram Stories, saying he had nothing to do with the fan's assault and that he had provided assistance to his family.
He declared, "I don't stand with the situation that happened, I was fully unaware of the situation that was about to take place."
The rapper asserted that he sincerely cares about his young fan and his family and is not attempting to dissuade the family from suing.
Nardo Wick fans and social media users slam suspects
Social media users took to X (formerly Twitter) to lambast the Florida fan attack suspects, including the 15-year-old teen. Users called the incident "disgusting" and "horrible".
One such user wrote on X: "This is horrible!! I will be praying for this young man! This could have been avoided."
A second user echoed a similar sentiment and wrote: "The kid was stunned already and posed zero threat to anyone. The second guy should get manslaughter/attempted murder charges."
"Make an example out of these two. They should be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law," noted a third one.
This is horrible!! I will be praying for this young man! ππThis could have been avoided π―π―
β Kathleen Winchell β€οΈπ€ππΊπΈπΊπΈ (@KathleenWinche3) December 3, 2023
The kid was stunned already and posed zero threat to anyone. The second guy should get manslaughter/attempted murder charges.
β Throttle_This (@Throttle_This) December 3, 2023
Make an example out of these two π€‘. They should be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.
β RedWave Press (@RedWave_Press) December 3, 2023
The online slamming went on with another X user commenting, "Absolutely horrible behaviour, Iβm glad these 2 FINALLY turned themselves in. No-one, no family should ever have to go through this. Hoping George can make it through this."
"Maximum penalty is 5 years - seems inadequate for this kind of barbaric savagery," suggested another enraged online user.
One more wrote, "If convicted of felony battery under FL law, they can receive up to 5 years in prison + a fine of $5K. They deserve every bit of that. This insanity has to stop."
Absolutely horrible behaviour, Iβm glad these 2 FINALLY turned themselves in. No-one, no family should ever have to go through this.
β Mickamious (@MickamiousG) December 3, 2023
Hoping George can make it through this.
Maximum penalty is 5 years - seems inadequate for this kind of barbaric savagery.
β Expat Cayman (@ExpatCayman) December 3, 2023
If convicted of felony battery under FL law, they can receive up to 5 years in prison + a fine of $5K. They deserve every bit of that. This insanity has to stop.
β Savannah (@BasedSavannah) December 3, 2023