Parents march sons to police station over TikTok prank on single dad

A single father and chef was viciously attacked while relaxing in a hot tub by two 13-year-old boys who said they committed the crime for a TikTok video. Gregory Medina was having a well-earned soak in his San Bernardino, California , apartment complex's hot tub on the evening of August 14 after a long day of feeding the homeless as a chef at the nonprofit?Lutheran Social Services. As he sat in the tub with his AirPods in, listening to a class lecture because he had recently returned to school, two teenagers approached from behind. Surveillance footage from the apartment complex captured one of the 13-year-olds kicking Medina in the back of the head and the other stooping over to snatch the single father's phone before the two darted off. The unprovoked assault jolted Medina forward, knocking off his glasses and AirPods. He turned to look at his assailants before noticing they had stolen his phone, then tried to chase them but was unable to catch up. Medina contacted police and tracked his phone to a neighboring apartment complex, but authorities were unable to pinpoint exactly which unit the device was located in. The teenagers later admitted to discarding the evidence by ditching the phone. The chef went to the emergency room and was diagnosed with a concussion. As a single father and the sole provider for a 12-year-old girl, he was unable to take time off work despite suffering from?severe headaches, nausea, dizziness, neck pain and shoulder pain, according to a GoFundMe organized by his sister. On Friday, a week after the teenagers committed the assault, their parents turned them in to police. The parents also gave Medina a call and apologized, he told KABC .

A chef who suffered concussion after being attacked for a TikTok ideo says he has forgiven his attackers.

Greg Medina met the two 13-year-olds after their parents turned them over to police after learning their sons were suspected of kicking him in the head and stealing his phone.

The single dad was in a hot tub at his apartment complex in San Bernardino, California, when he was approached by the boys after he finished his shift cooking for homeless people for Lutheran Social Services.

One of the teenagers kicked him in the back of the head, sending his glasses and AirPods flying.

Greg turned round and saw the second boy snatch his cell phone before the pair ran off.

He was unable to catch up with the boys, but his phone was tracked to a neighbouring apartment complex.

Eilena is raising this fundraiser for Greg Medina, her brother, after a violent and completely unprovoked attack turned his life upside down. On August 14, 2026, Greg was sitting in the Jacuzzi at his apartment complex in San Bernardino, California, listening to a class lecture after recently returning to school to better himself. Without warning, he was attacked from behind and later learned through surveillance footage that he had been kicked in the back of the head. His glasses and AirPods fell into the water, and while trying to recover his belongings, he discovered that his phone had been stolen. Greg went to the emergency room and was diagnosed with a concussion. Since then, he has been dealing with severe headaches, nausea, dizziness, neck pain, shoulder pain, and other ongoing symptoms.
A single father and chef was viciously attacked while relaxing in a hot tub by two 13-year-old boys who said they committed the crime for a TikTok video. Gregory Medina was having a well-earned soak in his San Bernardino, California , apartment complex's hot tub on the evening of August 14 after a long day of feeding the homeless as a chef at the nonprofit?Lutheran Social Services. As he sat in the tub with his AirPods in, listening to a class lecture because he had recently returned to school, two teenagers approached from behind. Surveillance footage from the apartment complex captured one of the 13-year-olds kicking Medina in the back of the head and the other stooping over to snatch the single father's phone before the two darted off. The unprovoked assault jolted Medina forward, knocking off his glasses and AirPods. He turned to look at his assailants before noticing they had stolen his phone, then tried to chase them but was unable to catch up. Medina contacted police and tracked his phone to a neighboring apartment complex, but authorities were unable to pinpoint exactly which unit the device was located in. The teenagers later admitted to discarding the evidence by ditching the phone. The chef went to the emergency room and was diagnosed with a concussion. As a single father and the sole provider for a 12-year-old girl, he was unable to take time off work despite suffering from?severe headaches, nausea, dizziness, neck pain and shoulder pain, according to a GoFundMe organized by his sister. On Friday, a week after the teenagers committed the assault, their parents turned them in to police. The parents also gave Medina a call and apologized, he told KABC .

Police were unable to pinpoint exactly where his phone was, but the teenagers later admitted to ditching the phone, according to KABC.

Both boys were arrested on felony robbery charges after their parents took them to San Bernardino police station on Friday. The boy accused of kicking Greg in the head is also facing an assault charge.

Greg, who was listening to a class lecture on the device at the time of the attack, went to hospital and was diagnosed with concussion.

One of the boys’ fathers contacted Greg after both teenagers admitted they carried out the attack for a TikTok video.

Greg said: ‘He was very apologetic, saying his son made a stupid mistake, but he understands that he did need to be held accountable.

‘To turn their children in, and turn them over to the police, and then leave without their kids. That had to have been hard. And it tears at my heartstrings as a father, but I understand as well.’

MUZZED Greg Medina on his facebook page

After speaking to the teenagers, he said: ‘I never once raised my voice or yelled at them or belittled them. I wanted them to know that they were loved and I do forgive them.’

He told NBC Los Angeles: ‘We shared an embrace and a hug… I don’t hate them. These are two young men that need help.’

Despite suffering with severe headaches, nausea, dizziness, neck pain and shoulder pain, Greg still had to work to provide for his 12-year-old daughter.

A single father and chef was viciously attacked while relaxing in a hot tub by two 13-year-old boys who said they committed the crime for a TikTok video. Gregory Medina was having a well-earned soak in his San Bernardino, California , apartment complex's hot tub on the evening of August 14 after a long day of feeding the homeless as a chef at the nonprofit?Lutheran Social Services. As he sat in the tub with his AirPods in, listening to a class lecture because he had recently returned to school, two teenagers approached from behind. Surveillance footage from the apartment complex captured one of the 13-year-olds kicking Medina in the back of the head and the other stooping over to snatch the single father's phone before the two darted off. The unprovoked assault jolted Medina forward, knocking off his glasses and AirPods. He turned to look at his assailants before noticing they had stolen his phone, then tried to chase them but was unable to catch up. Medina contacted police and tracked his phone to a neighboring apartment complex, but authorities were unable to pinpoint exactly which unit the device was located in. The teenagers later admitted to discarding the evidence by ditching the phone. The chef went to the emergency room and was diagnosed with a concussion. As a single father and the sole provider for a 12-year-old girl, he was unable to take time off work despite suffering from?severe headaches, nausea, dizziness, neck pain and shoulder pain, according to a GoFundMe organized by his sister. On Friday, a week after the teenagers committed the assault, their parents turned them in to police. The parents also gave Medina a call and apologized, he told KABC .

His sister, Eilena, has started a gofundme page to support him so he can have some time off, as his doctor instructed.

She said: ‘Being unable to work has created a serious financial burden for Greg and his family during an already traumatic time.

‘Donations will help cover medical expenses, replace the items that were stolen, and support Greg and his family while he heals.’

So far, $1,705 has been raised for Greg.

Original source Parents march sons to police station over TikTok prank on single dad

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