STOCKTON, CA (KTXL/CNN) - An Instagram video showed an 8-year-old boy being viciously beaten by teenagers - the reason, his bicycle.
The disturbing video has since been removed.
Police said Thursday that the three attackers, aged 10, 13 and 14, were taken into custody.
William Jones, the boy's father, was stunned when he saw the video of his 8-year-old son brutally beaten.
Jones said all of the teenage attackers wanted was the child's bicycle. His son was kicked and punched repeatedly, even threatened and humiliated. Investigators said the attack happened on Saturday.
"I was scared to tell my dad because they said they were going to kill him, and me and put us in a cave," Jones said. "You know so that, that hurt me so bad. That has me real shaken inside. How could they do that? And he's 8 years old."
Jones said his son was friends with the attackers before the incident. The teens have since returned his son's bike, but Jones said that gesture won't be enough to make amends.
The boy's mother recently died of cancer. The family recently moved from the Bay Area to Stockton for a fresh start.
Jones says his son has been moved to the Bay Area for his protection.
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