There's not really enough evidence here to be making conclusions, but one can assume that if this kid means business and puts them in their place, they'll stop being roostery and leave him alone. From there, there harassment should stop, and if it doesn't, they're risking another beating and hence treading over the line zz_tophat set, they'd be the guilty party then.
Also, I'm not one to criticise the environment which shapes a child, I'm aware my upbringing was flawed, though the sudden explosion of Emo kids is a culture thing and the semi-careless prescription of suppressing drugs in belief that technology can solve all, rather than a side-effect of the distribution of sedative drugs or a conspiracy led by Pharmaceutical companies and Doctors.