need to know
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Four 17-year-old Texas boys have been charged with aggravated kidnapping for allegedly kidnapping and beating a former classmate in Travis County
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Authorities said the victim was lured away from Del Valle High School and then attacked at gunpoint in a garage.
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The victim said he was told he was being targeted for talking to one of the suspect’s girlfriends
Four 17-year-old Texas boys have been charged with aggravated kidnapping after allegedly kidnapping and beating a former classmate.
According to multiple arrest affidavits filed by the Travis County Sheriff’s Office and obtained by CBS Austin, WDBJ 7 and KHOU 11, the incident began on February 19 when the victim left Del Valle High School with three suspects.
The Travis County Sheriff’s Office did not immediately respond to PEOPLE’s request for comment.
The victim was allegedly lured to a nearby home where a fourth suspect was waiting, CBS Austin, WDBJ 7 and KHOU 11 reported.
The four suspects, whom the school district described as “former” students, then allegedly took the victim to a detached garage where one of the suspects put a gun to his head while the others taped his hands, feet and mouth, according to investigators.
The victim told police he was burned, forced to drink alcohol and beaten with an aluminum rod, a cane and a belt, CBS Austin, WDBJ 7 and KHOU 11 reported.
Del Valle High School, Travis County, Texas
Credit: Google Maps
The victim also told investigators that the suspects told him multiple times that they were going to kill him, according to media reports. The victim told authorities the suspect said he was targeted because he had been talking to one of the suspect’s girlfriends.
He also said the suspects told him they would hurt him and his family if he reported the assault to police, CBS Austin and WDBJ 7 reported.
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One of the suspects allegedly recorded the attack, according to testimony obtained by CBS Austin.
The victim was eventually released and reported the incident to authorities, CBS Austin and WDBJ 7 reported.
Police car (stock image)
Image source: Getty
Investigators said they observed multiple injuries on the victim that matched his description of the incident, including bruises on his back, chest and legs, according to testimony, CBS Austin and WDBJ 7 reported.
Investigators further said that several suspects eventually admitted to carrying out the attack when interviewed by authorities and said they had been planning it for about a week, CBS Austin reported.
According to local media KVUE, the four suspects face 5 to 99 years in prison if convicted.
In a statement from Del Valle Independent School District (ISD), a representative said, “Del Valle ISD is aware of reports of an off-campus incident that resulted in the arrest of a former DVISD student.”
“The Travis County Sheriff’s Office is actively investigating this incident. There is no further information in the area at this time,” they continued.
The representative added: “The safety of our students and staff is our top priority and we will continue to monitor this incident. We will always communicate with the school community when the school environment is impacted.”
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