Ashton Clark, Landon Harris, and Multiple Juveniles Arrested or Under Investigation After Viral Videos Show Brutal Bonfire Assault and Strangulation of 16-Year-Old Black Teenager in Lenoir County

GRIFTON, NC — A deeply disturbing viral video capturing the brutal assault of a 16-year-old Black teenager has led to multiple arrests and impending charges for nearly a dozen individuals in Lenoir County, North Carolina.

The Lenoir County Sheriff’s Office announced that three suspects—including two adults and one juvenile—have been taken into custody, while six additional juveniles are actively being processed through the juvenile justice system.

The adults arrested and booked into the Lenoir County Jail have been identified as:

• Ashton Clark, 18, of Lenoir County, charged with Felony Assault by Strangulation and Conspiracy. He is being held under a $50,000 secured bond.

• Landon Harris, 19, of Pitt County, charged with Cyberbullying and Conspiracy. He was placed under a $2,500 secured bond.

Additionally, a 17-year-old juvenile has been arrested and charged with Felony Assault by Strangulation and Conspiracy, and is currently being held at a secure juvenile detention facility. Law enforcement officials also noted that other individuals, including Adler Wiggins and Peyton Ellis, have been placed under investigation regarding their involvement and actions during the night outing.

Horrific Assault Captured in Multi-Part Viral Videos

According to investigators, the violent incident took place on May 24 during a nighttime outdoor gathering centered around a bonfire near Grifton. The assault was captured in a series of highly graphic videos that were later callously shared to a group chat that included the victim.

The footage, which rapidly spread across social media, outlines a relentless attack:

• The First Video: Shows a group gathered around a bonfire with alcohol present. A girl with long dark hair sucker-punches the 16-year-old victim without warning, before another individual pursues him and wrestles him to the ground.

• The Second Video: Captures the teenager being pinned to the ground in a prolonged chokehold. As he is choked, multiple bystanders punch him while another individual shoves a camera phone directly into his face to record his distress.

• The Third Video: Depicts the dazed victim placed into a second chokehold by a different teenager. A girl can be heard repeatedly screaming for the attacker to let him go. Once released, the victim appears completely stunned and momentarily unresponsive on the ground.

Severe Injuries and Community Impact

A family member of the victim spoke with local news outlet WITN, revealing that the teenager sustained severe physical injuries, including several broken teeth and ruptured blood vessels. Due to the physical trauma and the immense digital harassment surrounding the viral footage, the victim has since left the area to continue receiving medical care in a safe environment.

While the victim is Black and his attackers appear to be white in the video footage, Lenoir County Sheriff Jackie Rogers stated that the incident stems from an ongoing dispute among the juveniles. At this stage of the active investigation, authorities maintain that there is no concrete evidence indicating the attack was racially motivated.

"Our investigators are working tirelessly to ensure everyone responsible for this senseless act is held accountable. This violence will not be tolerated in our community." — Lenoir County Sheriff's Office Statement

More Arrests Anticipated as Investigation Continues

The six remaining juveniles identified by detectives are facing an array of charges, including Assault with a Deadly Weapon, Simple Assault, and Conspiracy.

Sheriff Jackie Rogers has scheduled a formal press conference to provide further updates on the case. As the investigation remains fluid and ongoing, authorities anticipate additional arrests. Anyone possessing further information or unedited footage of the assault is strongly urged to contact the Lenoir County Sheriff’s Office immediately.