A mixed martial arts fighter with a background in a violent gang is under police investigation on suspicion of putting a man in his 20s in a chokehold and knocking him unconscious during a YouTube livestream. The victim is hospitalized and being treated, and paralysis symptoms have reportedly appeared in part of his body.
On the 7th, the Incheon Seobu Police Station said it booked fighter A, 36, without detention on suspicion of injury and is investigating.
A is suspected of choking a man in his 20s, B, into unconsciousness with a so-called "guillotine choke" around 4 a.m. on the 6th at an officetel in Cheongna-dong, Seo District, Incheon.
B reportedly slammed the back of his head hard on the floor and lost consciousness. Afterward, A slapped both of B's cheeks with a hand and said, "Let him sleep a bit."
The scene was broadcast as is on a YouTube live stream. Viewers who watched posted concerns such as "Shouldn't you call 119?" and "A pro shouldn't apply a technique to a civilian."
After reviewing the footage, police opened an investigation and booked A. Police plan to contact victim B to confirm what happened at the time and assess the exact extent of the injuries.
B is currently hospitalized and receiving treatment, and paralysis symptoms have reportedly appeared in part of his body.
B was a viewer of the YouTube stream and is said to have gone to the officetel where the broadcast was taking place while exchanging messages with the YouTuber.
A was previously affiliated with a gang monitored by police but is reportedly no longer on the monitoring list.
Police also plan to check whether others who were at the scene were involved and whether there was any collusion.