Suspect in recorded sucker punch to face charges

FRANKLIN, Mass (WHDH) -- Police say a Franklin High School student was sucker punched on Thursday morning, sending him to the hospital. The student who threw the punch will be charged with assault and battery.

The suspect is expected to turn himself in to police on Monday. The person who recorded the incident will likely face charges as well.

Police say the suspect was upset that the victim, 18-year-old Cory Pingeton, was trash talking about him. The incident occurred in the hallway of Franklin High School.

“Proceeded to go to the bathroom and then it was just lights out,” Pingeton said.

Pingeton said he was struck out of the blue by a student who quickly walked away while another student filmed that punch.

“Double vision because of how my eyes are swelled. I see like two of your heads instead of one,” said Pingeton.

Pingeton went to the hospital. He was treated at the Mass. Eye and Ear Infirmary and returned home on Thursday evening.

Franklin police are looking to file assault and battery charges on both the student throwing the punch and the student recording it. Police released a statement saying: “The videoing [sic] of the assault makes it clear the assault was a planned event. Officers believe the reason for the assault is because the suspect thought the victim was talking ‘trash’ about him.”

“That’s a sucker punch. That’s a cowardly thing to be doing to anybody. And obviously it was planned that way,” said Bob Vallee, Franklin Town Council Chairperson.

With the video on the Internet, Pingeton posted a photo from the hospital saying he wanted his attacker to see his face.

“I hope he sees my face, really, I hope he sees what happened to my face. Trying to show everybody what happened to my face. I didn’t do anything to deserve what I got,” said Pingeton.

The superintendent of Franklin Schools released a statement saying: “This cowardly act is disturbing and it does not reflect the expectations we espouse as a school district or as a community. We are committed to ensuring all of our students are safe while they are in school.”

Franklin police continue their investigation.