Florida Driver Caught on Camera Grabbing Teenager by the Throat After Confronting Boys Over Fishing

A Florida man has been arrested after disturbing video allegedly showed him grabbing a 17-year-old boy by the neck and chasing him along a residential sidewalk following a confrontation over fishing.

Gregory McPhedrain, 57, was taken into custody on November 5 after an alleged assault involving two teenagers in Lee County, Florida.

The incident reportedly began when McPhedrain confronted the boys, identified as Isaiah, 17, and Brycin, 15, after spotting them fishing in a pond in his neighborhood.

According to the teenagers, McPhedrain had contacted police over their presence near the residential pond. The situation escalated later when the boys encountered him again while riding their electric bicycles home.

The teenagers alleged that McPhedrain drove toward them in a Subaru Crosstrek, shouted at them and nearly struck them with his vehicle.

They also claimed he threw a liquid in their direction before driving away.

But the confrontation was far from over.

Disturbing footage captures alleged attack

Video obtained by Gulf Coast News reportedly shows McPhedrain getting out of his vehicle and following Isaiah along a sidewalk.

The footage appears to show him placing one hand on the teenager’s shoulder and neck before bringing his other hand toward the boy’s throat.

At one point, he appears to grip the teenager around the neck and move his fingers toward the boy’s mouth as Isaiah struggles to break free.

The teenager manages to push McPhedrain away, but the man allegedly charges toward him again with a raised fist.

Brycin, who recorded the encounter, said the incident was frightening to witness.

He described the moment as looking like McPhedrain was trying to force his fingers down his friend’s throat.

Isaiah later explained why he felt he needed to defend himself.

“Once I seen him get out the car and start coming at us, that’s when I felt the need to protect me and my friend’s property. And I just felt like our lives were at danger,” he told Gulf Coast News.

Three charges filed

McPhedrain was booked into the Lee County Jail following the incident.

He faces two counts of battery and one count of cruelty toward a child. The charges stem from the alleged confrontation with the teenagers.

According to reports, he was expected to appear in court for an initial hearing on Saturday, November 7. He had not entered a plea at the time of the report.

The Lee County Sheriff’s Office is investigating the incident.

Isaiah also spoke out about what happened, saying adults should understand the seriousness of putting their hands on a child.

“It’s not OK to put your hands on a child in any situation, no matter what,” he said.

The disturbing footage has drawn attention to the confrontation, which reportedly began over two teenagers fishing in a neighborhood pond and ended with one of them allegedly being grabbed by the neck.

McPhedrain is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in court.

Source:  DAILYMAIL