A 13-year-old boy, who claimed to be the victim of bullying, was arrested by the Merced County Sheriff’s Department on the suspicion that he assaulted his alleged 12-year-old bully.

According to the sheriff’s department, the 12-year-old boy was choked by the 13-year-old and sustained a head injury when he fell to the ground.

The sheriff’s department was dispatched to the 2000 block of Santa Fe Road at 8:45 a.m. Monday for a report of two juveniles fighting, with one unconscious.

When deputies arrived, the 12-year-old boy was in the back of an ambulance, conscious but being transported to the hospital for further evaluation, said sheriff spokesman Deputy Tom MacKenzie.

The 13-year-old told deputies that the fight was initiated because he was tired of the 12-year-old making fun of him.

The 13-year-old said he wrapped his arm around the boy and pulled him closer.

“Witnesses say they saw the suspect put the victim in a ‘choke hold’ for about 10 seconds and when the responsible let go, the victim fell to the ground unconscious,” MacKenzie said.

The victim struck the side of his head on the concrete, causing the head injury, MacKenzie said.

The victim told deputies he remembered having trouble breathing, but was unaware of anything else until he came to on the ground with a crowd of people huddled around him.

The 13-year-old was arrested on a charge of aggravated assault and booked into Juvenile Hall.

To contact Sabra Stafford, e-mail sstafford@turlockjournal.com or call 634-9141 ext. 2002.