A group of teens in Florida filmed the dying moments of a 32-year-old disabled man last week, while the man drowned in a fenced-off pond, according to police.
However, police and prosectors say little can be done, because the teens do not appear to violate any laws. The group mocked, cursed and laughed during the minute long recording of the man drowning. The Brevard County State Attorney’s Office released the video to Florida Today.
The teens, age 14 to 16, are off camera as the man screams for help and then goes under the murky water. They can also be heard discussing the possibility of an alligator being in the water. When Dunn’s head goes under and does not resurface, one teen says, “Oh, he just died,” and laughter ensues.
The teens never called 911 and police found the man’s body, later identified as Jamel Dunn, on July 12. The video has given detectives insight into Dunn’s disappearance after he failed to turn up at home in Cocoa. A family friend saw the video on social media and turned it over to the police.
“He started to struggle and scream for help and they just laughed. They didn’t call the police,” said Yvonne Martinez, spokeswoman for the Cocoa Police Department, to Florida Today. They just laughed the whole time. He was just screaming… for someone to help him.”
The teens were identified and questioned but there are no Good Samaritan laws that would be applicable in the case and the group was not directly involved, so no charges will be filed. Police added that there appeared to be little remorse from the teens.
Simone Scott, who said she is Dunn’s sister, said her brother was disabled and walked with a cane. She took to social media to say the teens didn’t have to help but they should have called 9-1-1. A family friend said that Dunn had two young daughters and was known for his generous spirit.
Below is the audio of the video that Florida Today obtained. Warning: The audio contains strong launguage.
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