DANIA BEACH, Fla. — An investigation remains open and active into a fight outside of a McDonald’s in Dania Beach involving an adult and several children.
It happened on Aug. 21 outside the McDonald’s located at 1310 S. Federal Highway.
An Olsen Middle School parent says she was picking up her kids when she saw the fight spilling out into the street.
“They basically jumped an old man,” said parent Yanelle Perez, who witnessed the fight.
Patrick Utter also said he was there for the incident, jumping into action to help the man, but adding that neither party was innocent.
“A guy that maybe had mental health issues, drinking, went into the McDonald’s and he said something wrong, he incited a bunch of young kids, and they followed him out here on the US 1 corridor,” said Utter. “The US 1 corridor is a little bit rough over here, and more importantly, these kids that are passing through here could use some supervision.”
According to the Broward Sheriff’s Office, the man threatened to fight the kids when they were all inside the McDonald’s.
When the man left the restaurant, deputies said the children followed him outside, after which the fight broke out.
Deputies said they are investigating whether whatever was said inside the restaurant justified what subsequently occurred outside.
They said they are still waiting to speak with the man, who was not still at the McDonald’s by the time deputies arrived.
At the very end of the fight, video showed several witnesses trying to help the man.
“They took his food, beat him up, and he fell on the floor,” said Perez. “They had to have two older gentleman stop it up because it the man, he couldn’t. There was like 10-15 kids on top of him.”
Olsen Middle School Principal Janet Giancarli sent a message to parents in regard to the incident, which stated:
“An adult male approached the students and initiated a physical confrontation outside of the restaurant. The Broward Sheriff’s Office responded and investigated. No one was injured.”
“We understand that a video of this incident is now circulating on social media and is concerning. While the incident did not occur on school grounds or during the school day, we take any situation involving our students seriously and we will continue to work closely with law enforcement regarding this matter,” the statament continued. “The safety and well-being of our students remain our highest priority.”
Utter said he feels there needs to be more law enforcement presence in the area.
“There’s no doubt in my mind, my friend Ed Tarks, Bernard and myself, saved this guy from a really horrific ending, and that’s why I’m going along with this interview, because we need some help over here with police at the end of the day,” said Utter.
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