‘His whole group left him’: Police use TikTok to track down man for an alleged assault
BLUFFDALE, Utah (ABC4) — An 18-year-old man was charged with aggravated assault in Bluffdale this week for an incident that allegedly happened at a Halloween party last year — Bluffdale Police say they’ve tracked him down through TikTok.
Jairus Lee Parker, 18, was charged with aggravated assault (gang-related), a first-degree felony. The charges were filed on Thursday.
Bluffdale Police responded to a medical call on Oct. 27 where they found a 17-year-old with “blood running down his face.” Police say he appeared to be in shock and was treated and cleared by paramedics at the scene.
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According to charging documents, the victim later met with police and said he was outside a Halloween party putting on makeup with his friends when they saw two cars speed past before parking. He said he heard there was going to be a fight and they walked toward the cars to “see what was going on.”
The victim said he heard someone say “I will take your life” and lifted their shirt to show guns in their waistband, and saw others pointing guns as well. He said the group outside the party began to run and he stepped aside saying he was “not a part of this” when someone from the other group yelled “Yo, get ’em” and began punching him.
Documents say “the group then surrounded [the victim] and they punched [him] all over his body, face, and head.”
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The victim told police the attackers were wearing ski masks and therefore were not identifiable. However, documents say the victim “posted an image of the blood on his face after the assault on TikTok” and someone commented saying that “his whole friend group left him.”
Police used the username of the commenter to track down and interview several people, including some who allegedly participated in the assault, according to charging documents. One of the witnesses allegedly told police they assaulted the victim “because they just grabbed somebody after the other group ran away.”
Charges are allegations only. All arrested persons are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.
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