Ben Carson's childhood stories, college scholarship scrutinized

Republican presidential candidate claims he had violent childhood

PALM BEACH GARDENS, Fla. – Dr. Ben Carson is the keynote speaker at the Diamond and Ice scholarship dinner on a day when new questions about his stories of a violent childhood arose.

Those stories, and the apparently false claim that he got a full ride to the Military Academy at West Point, are garnering attention.

"I would hit people with hammers," Carson once said. "Almost put a guy's eye out one time."

Statements like that from Carson, a GOP presidential candidate, are under scrutiny Friday. Several of Carson's friends and classmates told CNN they have no memory of an incident from his youth in Detroit in which he said he tried to stab a close friend.

"I was a little surprised by it," Carson's friend, Tim McDaniel, said.

Carson claims he changed the names of people involved in his latest book to protect their privacy.

"If you choose to believe I'm incapable of these acts, it's a compliment," Carson told CNN Friday morning.

Meanwhile, Carson's campaign is now saying the White House hopeful didn't get a formal scholarship offer to the Military Academy at West Point, something he described in his autobiography. This comes after the prestigious academy said they have no records of Carson's application. A representative said Carson got offers of an appointment to West Point but, ultimately, never applied.

South Florida supporters showed up for Carson at two book signings in Kendall and Ford Lauderdale on Thursday.

Carson will speak at Friday night's scholarship gala, according to the program. Former Republican National Committee chairman Michael Steele will also speak. The event begins at 7 p.m. Local 10 News will be there.

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