Owasso Police Investigate Threats Against School District after Student’s Death
Tragedy struck Owasso High School when 16-year-old Nex Benedict passed away on February 8th. The student, who identified as nonbinary and used gender-neutral pronouns, was involved in a fight at the school the day before their untimely death. While Owasso police investigate the threats made against the school district, one of which the FBI has deemed credible, they have determined that the death was not a result of trauma. The investigation is ongoing, and further comments on the cause of death will be pending until toxicology results and other tests are received.
The Benedict family has continued to use the name Dagny for their child, honoring their identity at the funeral and through a GoFundMe campaign page. In a statement released by their attorneys, the family called for a collaborative effort from school, local, state, and national officials to determine why this tragedy occurred, hold those responsible accountable, and ensure it never happens again. They expressed concerns over the facts surrounding Nex’s death and urged investigators to conduct a thorough and expedient investigation. The family is also independently interviewing witnesses and gathering evidence.
The Benedict family also made an appeal for an end to any threats or acts of violence against students, employees, and personnel associated with the Owasso Public Schools. The Owasso Police Department received information about a serious threat made against a school administrator. Lt. Nick Boatman confirmed that the FBI has deemed this threat credible, leading to an increased police presence at all schools within the district. The police, in partnership with the FBI and the Oklahoma Counter Terrorism Intelligence Center, are currently investigating 10 to 20 message threats sent to the school district in the past two days.
While the circumstances surrounding these threats have led police to believe that they are targeted towards the district’s secondary schools, they have stationed units across all 15 elementary schools as a precautionary measure. Owasso Public Schools assured parents in a letter that they are taking every threat seriously and working diligently with agencies to assess the credibility of each one. They emphasized that school operations are continuing as normally as possible, and increased security measures should not cause alarm among parents.
As the investigation into Nex Benedict’s death and the threats against the Owasso School District unfolds, the community remains in shock and mourning. It is a challenging time for students, faculty, and parents who are grappling with the loss of a young life and the fear generated by these threats. The hope is that the authorities will swiftly identify those responsible for the threats and provide answers to the questions surrounding Nex’s passing. In the meantime, the community must come together to support one another and ensure the safety and well-being of all students and staff within the Owasso Public Schools.
