Disabled Victim of On-Camera Assault Speaks Out, Receives ‘Hundreds of Letters’ of Support

A mentally disabled man — who was the victim of an on-camera assault by a group of teens who then posted the video to social media — is speaking out along with his caregiver for the first time since the attack.

Mark Smith, who was punched in the side of the face by a group of teenagers in Philadelphia’s Germantown neighborhood, told WTXF when asked about the attack that he was terrified but does not want to hear anything else about the incident and wants everything to be “normal.”

“I don’t want to talk about it,” Smith said.

His caregiver, Pam Pendleton, said that Smith would not hurt anyone, “not even a fly.”

“They took advantage of him and he didn’t deserve it,” Pendleton said. “He was being nice.”

Pendleton, who found out about the attack from police because Smith never told her about it, added that she wishes she could have done more to prevent the situation from happening, but her aim now is to continue to make sure Smith lives as normal a life as possible.

Meanwhile, Smith’s life has gone back to normal since the incident.

Smith, with the attack behind him, says he is excited about his 40th birthday party coming up.

He goes to work, attends church, and goes out to socialize. The community where he lives says he is a “helpful and friendly” guy to be around.

WXTF reports that Smith received “hundreds of letters and cards” supporting him from people around the world.

Smith has lived with Pendleton and her family for the past four years as part of a program run by the state.

Police say the two boys who allegedly threw the punches at Smith will face charges.

Pendleton is in talks with the prosecutor’s office to suggest appropriate punishments or “help” for the boys who allegedly hit him.