MEMPHIS, Tenn. — A man accused of starting a violent attack at a Memphis gas station was arrested and placed behind bars.
The attack was caught on camera, and the video soon went viral.
Police said, 23-year-old Cordero Ragland was facing aggravated riot charges after he started the mob assault on April 10.
The brutal attack terrified the City of Memphis and pushed folks to stay away from groups of Memphis teens.
Orrden Williams was helping an elderly woman to her car when dozens pummeled him with their fists and feet.
He didn’t know Ragland before, but said he recognized him in the mug shot.
“Since he’s an adult, he probably triggered the kids because they were probably following his ignorant lead,” said Williams.
Williams was happy that Ragland was facing charges, but said the fact that an adult was charged for starting the attack was upsetting.
“I need to see him punished. I’m glad that MPD and the media did what they did,” said Williams.
Court records showed detectives identified Ragland as the initial attacker last month, but it took officers three weeks to track him down.
A woman too afraid to be identified by WREG said detectives showed up at her home a few times to arrest Ragland.
Her home was where police thought Ragland lived.
The address was listed in his Shelby County criminal record several times.
Last year, Ragland was accused of beating up a teen near Elizabeth Malone Park.
According to court records, that attack was also caught on camera.
Those charges were thrown out, but Williams hoped the BP surveillance video would force Ragland’s new charges to stick and keep him behind bars for a very long time.
“I don’t believe he needs to be out right now. He likes a scene. He likes a mob. He likes a riot,” said Williams.
Ragland heads to court Thursday.
