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'The Guy Was Just Being A Jerk': Friend Speaks Out After Panthers Fan Is Sucker Punched

PHILADELPHIA (CBS) -- A disturbing video from Thursday night's Eagles-Panthers game at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, North Carolina has surfaced.

Related: Eagles Find Way To Win, Despite Pete Morelli And Crew

In the stands, a young Panthers fan was filmed punching an older fan in the face.

The video was posted to Instagram and the caption explains the victim was telling the fans in front of him, "How they're being jerks and how rude they are for not sitting.

WARNING: The video and caption contains violence, blood and graphic language. You can watch it here. 

In the caption, the person who posted the video wrote, "i don't know if he got away or left in handcuffs, but i hope it's the latter." The person who posted the video also wrote that the "puncher and punchee were both wearing Panthers attire."

"It happened so quickly you almost didn't have time to react, said Gene Serba.

Serba is a Mt. Laurel resident and Eagles fan who was in Charlotte for Thursday's game. It is a journey he has taken four-or-so times before to join college buddy and Panthers fan, David in the stands.

"The guy was just being a jerk in front of us," he explained. "They were standing up not to watch the game or cheer or anything just to be a jerk."

Serba says that others were upset about the young couple in standing up as well. Finally in the fourth quarter, Gene says that a verbal exchange ensued and suddenly the man seen in a video that has since gone viral, unleased - striking Gene's friend David in the face four times.

"Somebody went after him," Gene said of Bank of America Stadium security, "I thought, 'Oh well, they have the guy. Well, they didn't have the guy. They didn't even know who he was."

Related: The Eagles Make Themselves Team To Beat In NFC

NFL.com's Ian Rapoport reports that the NFL is in contact with Panthers security.

 

 

The Panthers released a statement later on Friday afternoon.

"We have reviewed video tape of the incident and have identified the perpetrator. We are working with the Charlotte Mecklenburg Police Department to pursue charges to the fullest extent of the law," Panthers Executive Director of Risk Management Lance Emory said.

"The Carolina Panthers are committed to a fan-friendly and family-friendly stadium experience.The behavior exhibited by the perpetrator is unacceptable and will not be condoned at Bank of America Stadium."

Kyle Maraghy
Credit: (CBS3)

Police say they have arrested Kyle Adam Maraghy and charged him with simple assault in connection with this incident. He is being taken to Meck jail.

"Ironically, before the game [David] was talking about coming up here and how dangerous it was to come to a game in Philadelphia and I said, 'it really isn't'," said Serba.

Gene Serba also adds that his friend's ego took a hit as well as many people originally assumed that David was an Eagles fan. Others, showcasing sympathy and outrage also referred to his friend on social media as "elderly".

David is 62.

"I think the things he is most upset about is being called an Eagles fan and being called old."

Serba added that as an Eagles fan, dressed in gear, he suspects that the couple in front of him were standing on purpose to block his view of the game.

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