Ari Brooks, 54, Argues He Was Standing His Ground Against Child.
BY: ANDREW COLTON | Editor and Publisher | BOCA RATON, FL (BocaNewsNow.com) (Copyright © 2026 MetroDesk Media, LLC) — Lotus Boca Raton homeowner Ari Brooks is in part using a “stand your ground” defense against charges that he battered a child who was performing wheelies in the community of million dollar homes. Brooks, 54, is charged with battery and “robbery with sudden snatching.” “Stand Your Ground” is often used as a defense when someone is fearful for their life or someone else’s life.
As we were first to report with video of the incident, co-defendant Mitchell Schuman allegedly was so annoyed that a child was performing wheelies in the community of Lotus that he blew his whistle at the child. He then threw a water bottle at the child. He then took the child’s cell phone. When the child reacted to having a water bottle thrown at him and his cellphone taken, Ari Brooks allegedly restrained the young child and continued to deny his ability to retrieve his cell phone. While Schuman was originally given a “notice to appear” and no charges were filed against Brooks, police reviewing video ultimately charged and arrested both men. Schuman is facing charges of battery, robbery, petit theft, and criminal mischief.
In a motion to dismiss that only involves the Ari Brooks matter, criminal defense attorney Flynn Bertisch wrote: ‘The “Stand Your Ground Law” provides for immunity from criminal prosecution for persons using force as permitted in statutes governing use of force in defense of a person, use of force in home protection, or use of force in defense of others. F.S.S. $776.012. F.S.S. § 776.012 – Use or threatened use of force in defense of person provides.’ The argument: Ari Brooks wasn’t there when the situation started, and was only trying to protect Mitchell Schuman who had recently undergone surgery. Brooks argues he wasn’t there when Schuman blew his whistle, threw his water bottle at the boy, and took the child’s phone.
Read the complete motion to dismiss below. Watch the videos of the incident here.
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Oh he did not use STAND YOUR GROUND? Afraid of a child…now I’ve heard it all
ONLY 2 THINGS TO SAY, DIRT BAG & COWARD
When the judge stops laughing, he/she should toss this nonsensical defense (excuse) in the garbage where it belongs.
The motion/case actually has nothing to do with “Stand Your Ground.” That dog-whistle phrase pertains to having no duty to retreat before threatening or using deadly force. There was no duty to retreat before using nondeadly force, before or after 2005, when the so-called Stand Your Ground was enacted in Chapter 776. As far as using force in defense of others, the underlying circumstances between the person aided and another do not control. The issue is whether Mr. Brooks reasonably believed it was necessary to grab G.S. to defend Mr. Shuman from imminent unlawful force. Whether or not Mr. Shuman was privileged to do so is irrelevant.
These men needed to be charged – what they did to that child was despicable and disgusting – if someone did that or touched my child, they would be in the hospital …. Those signs of aggression via restraint etc are unnecessary to another persons child. Period.