Hero student speaks out after attack on blind teen in Huntington Beach

ByABC7.com staff KABC logo
Saturday, September 26, 2015
Hero student speaks out after attack on blind teen in Huntington Beach
Cody Pines, 17, who stepped in to stop an attack on a blind student, defends the teen accused of starting the brawl.

HUNTINGTON BEACH, Calif. (KABC) -- The teen that stepped in to break an attack on a visually impaired student at Huntington Beach High School spoke out Friday.

Cody Pines, 17, is seen in a viral video as he punched the attacker and knocked him to the floor.

Thousands rallied to Pines' side in an online petition drive, asking that he not be punished, despite the school policy on fighting.

In a unique twist, Pines came to the defense of the student accused of starting the brawl.

"I saw him today. He apologized and for everybody not to put so much hate on him or any hate at all because he's already learned it," he said. "But everybody is hating on him and it's not cool."

The student accused of being the bully was arrested on suspicion of misdemeanor battery and released to his parents.

No disciplinary action was taken by police or the school against Pines.