A Springfield, Massachusetts teen used his martial arts training to defend a child with mental disabilities from older bullies last week, according to a report by MassLive.com.<br /><br />While walking out of class last Monday, Roman Rodriguez saw someone in need of help.<br /><br />The 16-year-old witnessed a group of eight teenagers bullying a defenseless 11-year-old and decided to intervene.<br /><br />"When I saw the situation, it immediately bothered me. I saw he was crying," said Roman during an interview with MassLive.com. "Everyone should be appreciated for who they are as a person, not made fun of."<br /><br />He confronted the leader of the group, identified as a teen named "Angel", who was much larger than him.<br /><br />The menacing bully attempted to strike, but was effortlessly dispatched by Roman. <br /><br />"He's a lot bigger than me, so I only knocked him down and restrained him," said Roman. "I wanted to avoid things getting worse."<br /><br />No doubt intimidated by the powerful warrior, the thugs fled the area, swearing to exact their revenge.<br /><br />"The kid threatened to stab or shoot Roman," said Antonio Colón, an instructor for a martial arts studio founded by Rodriguez's father.<br /><br />Angel returned wielding a large kitchen knife and flanked by his mother, Jomery Rivera, who encouraged her son to stab Rodriguez, who was accompanied by his martial artist father, Ricardo Rodriguez.<br /><br />"I witnessed this kid's mother encourage her son to stab mine. She was instigating a fight," said Ricardo.<br /><br />Police soon arrived at the scene and charged Angel with assault with a dangerous weapon and his mother with disorderly conduct.
