The Daily Observer London Desk: Reporter- John Furner
Police in Houston launched a probe into a 19-year-old man who admitted to recording himself punching random people for attention on social media.
The Harris County Sheriff’s Office is investigating Alford Lewis for his accused role in a string of assaults that local CBS affiliate KHOU first reported.
Videos of the attacks were posted on Nextdoor, where a man in a sweatshirt can be seen walking up behind another man at Wortham Park and socking him.
A second video shows a man appearing to get punched and grabbed by Mr. Alford.
Mr. Alford told the TV station he regrets his actions and that he did them to get likes and views on YouTube and TikTok.
He also said he wasn’t expecting the unprovoked assaults to cause such a stir. Mr. Alford then offered a partial defense of his behavior.
“I know from the video all you see is the bad part about it, but what people don’t see is that I shook his hand after and gave the man a hug,” he told KHOU.
The station said it couldn’t verify if the victims did part ways on good terms.
The sheriff’s office is still looking into the videos.
KHOU reported that the victims may have to press charges if criminal action is taken against Mr. Alford.
