Teenager Injured in Pinamar Assault, Friends Initially Gave False Account
Pinamar, Argentina – A 16-year-old teenager was injured early Saturday morning in Pinamar after what was initially reported as an attack by a group of six individuals, but later revealed to be a violent altercation with a friend, age 17. The injured teenager was first taken to a local health center and then transferred to the Bicentenario Hospital of Esteban Echeverría with a non-surgical cerebral hematoma, according to reports.
The initial account, provided by the teenager and his friends, alleged they were attacked by a group who also hurled insults. Lucía, the mother of the injured teenager, told Crónica TV that her son reported being called “black bastards” and physically assaulted by the group, who allegedly attempted to steal a bag containing personal items. However, authorities from the Buenos Aires Ministry of Security determined the incident was a fight between friends.
The incident occurred after 5:30 a.m. In the parking lot of the pier, near the city center. According to the prosecutor’s office, the three teenagers had accompanied the parents of the injured teenager on a fishing trip, but decided to remain in a car. The prosecutor, Juan Pablo Calderón, explained that the two friends went to the city center, “apparently” consuming alcohol, before returning to the car where the altercation took place.
The father of the injured teenager initially corroborated the story of an attack by a group, stating his son and friends told him they were targeted for a robbery. He described a chaotic scene, noting a police patrol arrived as his son’s friends were allegedly attempting to hide the bag to prevent it from being stolen. However, authorities were unable to locate any evidence of the alleged attackers in security camera footage.
The situation took a dramatic turn when the 14-year-old friend broke down and confessed that the 17-year-old had assaulted the injured teenager while he watched. “We didn’t see the young men who had attacked them. Now, with the final outcome, we know that the group didn’t exist and that’s why we couldn’t find them,” stated prosecutor Calderón.
The 14-year-old reportedly told police the altercation began as a playful exchange of blows that escalated. The father of the injured teenager expressed shock and disappointment upon learning the truth, stating he had known both boys since they were born and considered them neighbors and friends. “I’m devastated. I have no words. I’m disappointed in them,” he said, adding, “I just want my son to be okay.”
The cause of the initial aggression remains under investigation, according to the prosecutor. The incident highlights the complexities of gathering accurate information in the immediate aftermath of an event, and the importance of thorough investigation.
