HOUSTON — A Houston judge set bond Monday evening for a 19-year-old man arrested after he admitted that he's the guy seen in a video sucker punching people at a Houston-area park.
Alford Lasean Lewis, 19, is charged with assault with bodily injury and aggravated robbery with a deadly weapon stemming from two incidents on Oct. 26, according to court documents.
During his first court appearance, prosecutors asked for a $75,000 bond for one charge. Instead, the judge set bond at $10,000 total for both charges and ordered Lewis to wear an ankle monitor.
According to the Harris County Sheriff's Office, a man told them he was walking on the trail that runs parallel to Wortham Boulevard when a man later identified as Lewis approached him from behind and punched him in the head.
The victim said he spotted another man filming the attack on his phone while Lewis laughed at him. The victim asked Lewis why he was doing this, but both Lewis and his partner just continued to laugh.
The victim said he saw Lewis grab something from the front pocket underneath his red hoodie. He believed Lewis had a gun so he tried to de-escalate the situation and told Lewis he forgave him.
Lewis and his partner just continued to laugh and then ran from the scene, the victim told deputies.
Investigators said they identified Lewis and his partner from comments under the social video. They also spotted a gun in one of the stills from the video.
Before this incident, there was a similar attack involving Lewis and his partner, according to court documents on the same trail. That victim said Lewis approached him and tapped him on the shoulder with a gun in his hand. The victim also spotted the other man filming the incident.
Lewis then pointed the gun at the victim and demanded his phone, according to court documents. The victim refused and then Lewis asked him if he wanted to be shot in the foot.
Lewis then handed over the firearm to his partner, who kept the gun pointed at the victim. The victim said Lewis charged at him and hit him several times in the head and upper body. Lewis then put the victim in a chokehold and hit in several more times.
Eventually, the victim got away and ran from Lewis and his partner.
Investigators said a witness saw the attack and recognized the two guys from school.
Video shows a guy sucker punching people at Worthan Park
The video at Wortham Park was posted on Nextdoor by someone who'd seen it on a different platform. It drew hundreds of comments and sparked concern among nearby residents who also use the trail.
On Friday, KHOU 11 News reporter Jason Miles tracked down Lewis who said he now regrets his violent behavior.
"Yes, yes I do," Lewis said before his arrest. "You know, I just made a mistake and everybody makes mistakes."
KHOU 11 News spoke with Lewis at his home, not far from the park. He admitted his parents were disappointed when they learned what happened.
"I really didn't expect for it to go so left, you know," Lewis told us. "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."
Lewis didn't admit to us that he had a gun.
He said he did it to get likes and views on YouTube and TikTok but said the harsh reaction to the video made him re-think his actions and he hopes others learn from his mistake.
"Before you go out and do anything you feel is bad, or that could look bad, make sure, like, people know – or just don't do it at all," Lewis advised.