Two Teens Now Arrested In Tate High Battery Case

December 7, 2019

The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office has now arrested two teens in connection with the battery of a student Wednesday at Tate High School.

Lester Cheatham, 17, was arrested on a charge of felony battery Thursday afternoon. By Friday afternoon 16-year old Ya’Marcus Gross was also taken into custody on an outstanding warrant for felony battery.

Videos taken by students show the altercation with the victim falling to the ground after being punched in the face. He can be then be seen on the ground as he he is punched and kicked by two students believed to be Cheatham and Gross.

The student was released from the hospital and is now recovering at home. Social media rumors that the student died or lost his sight are not true, according to the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office.

NorthEscambia.com images.

Comments

15 Responses to “Two Teens Now Arrested In Tate High Battery Case”

  1. Kelly on December 10th, 2019 6:51 am

    Tate mom: You are calling all of these other people out, asking if they understand what a hate crime is and telling people their choice of words is ridiculous. Where do you get off correcting others? It is also my opinion that the aggressors are thugs, they should go to jail and hopefully someone in jail will teach them a lesson they will not forget. This is still America and everyone is free to their own thoughts and opinions. Your condescending attitude towards others is what is ridiculous.

  2. cj on December 8th, 2019 10:37 pm

    They are not just as guilty – without those videos the right people may not have even been arrested. It would have been he said/ she said instead of look who did that!

  3. Tate mom on December 8th, 2019 9:50 pm

    @Good ole days…things?! I understand your frustration with the situation but those are human beings, someone’s children at that! I know they are the aggressors in this situation but the victim is not COMPLETELY innocent. I have seen several videos of him over the last week where he is also not being his best self. I am in no way making excuses for what happened to him, because that is unacceptable and they definitely deserved to be punished accordingly. The point is, your choice of words to describe these children ( at the end of the day) is ridiculous… especially coming from an adult.

  4. Tate mom on December 8th, 2019 9:39 pm

    @greg… what makes this a hate crime? Do you understand what a hate crime ACTUALLY is? Obviously, not. This was a horrible fight, to say the least. But that doesn’t equate to a hate crime. Glad these boys are being punished. Hopefully, this will teach the rest of the students that this crap will not be tolerated.

  5. Greg on December 8th, 2019 8:36 am

    Should be investigated as a hate crime.

  6. Greg on December 8th, 2019 8:35 am

    Should be prosecuted as a hate crime!

  7. Janice on December 8th, 2019 7:02 am

    @good old days
    I can answer that! Some children have become so violent and unfeeling that Teachers worry about their own safety! I doesn’t make it right, it makes it FEAR! I grew up in the 70’s and 80’s myself, I was raised with rules. I was taught to respect others.
    I am a firm believer that trouble of this degree starts at home!

  8. Jen on December 7th, 2019 3:25 pm

    I’m surprised they finally did something! This is the 4th fight (some more brutal than this) that has taken place at Tate that I know of and we don’t even live there anymore. I yanked my kid and moved her to Santa Rosa years ago, best move ever. Her friends still attending Tate have sent numerous videos over the last month. Not sure why this one finally made the media but glad it did.

  9. Teddy on December 7th, 2019 3:14 pm

    Taught ***

  10. Concerned on December 7th, 2019 12:26 pm

    Yes, someone should have tried to get help, but without these videos it would be less likely to prove what actually happened.

  11. Good ole days on December 7th, 2019 11:41 am

    What happened to the good ole days when if thugs jump on a defenseless kid they step in and at least stop it. I think folks are so worried about what might happen to them if they get involved to right a wrong they just don’t bother. We need to return to the good ole days where you just do it because it’s right. Those two things should be convicted and serve the hardened sentences they can. Unfortunately our judicial system will just slap give them the minimum and chances are they will commit more serious crimes . Things need to change at Tate it’s time for new staff since they don’t seem to have control of the kids and it’s effecting the good kids who are actually trying to get an education.

  12. Gwen on December 7th, 2019 11:29 am

    Thank GOD the victim survived.

  13. Teddy on December 7th, 2019 10:14 am

    These cowards need to be thought a lesson.

  14. Wayne on December 7th, 2019 9:46 am

    Good for the first step.
    But it does not solve the problem ongoing there at Tate
    In short…
    If the head is sick…
    The body isn’t well
    But words do not solve the problem nor PR

  15. Good grief on December 7th, 2019 6:38 am

    Those standing around shooting videos should be arrested also. Does the good samaritan law cover this? They could at least went and got help. They’re just as guilty!!!