Teenager Nex Benedict’s Death After School Fight Sparks National Vigils and Investigation
The tragic death of 16-year-old Nex Benedict has captured the attention of the nation as vigils are being held across the United States. Nex, who identified as non-binary and used they/them pronouns, passed away a day after being involved in a fight at Owasso High School in Oklahoma. As authorities continue their investigation into the incident, there are still many unanswered questions surrounding the cause of death and the events that transpired in the school bathroom.
What Happened at the School?
On February 7th, Nex Benedict was engaged in a physical altercation in a school toilet. Other students, along with a member of the school staff, intervened and managed to break up the fight. The entire incident lasted less than two minutes, according to the school. Security footage revealed that after the fight, Nex was able to walk around the building unassisted. Despite this, the school nurse recommended further medical checks as a precautionary measure.
Nex’s mother, Sue, called the police to the hospital that same day, expressing her frustration that the school had not informed them about the incident. Bodycam footage released by the police showed Nex awake and alert, providing an account of what happened. Nex stated that three girls had targeted them and their group due to their appearance. The mocking continued in the bathroom, with the attackers questioning Nex’s laughter. In response, Nex threw water at the girls, sparking a physical altercation. According to Nex’s statement to the police, they were beaten on the ground before losing consciousness.
The school district expressed their devastation over the loss of a student and emphasized their commitment to providing a safe and inclusive environment for all students. They are fully cooperating with the ongoing investigation and addressing the speculation and misinformation surrounding the case.
How Did Nex Benedict Die?
The exact cause of Nex Benedict’s death remains unknown. On February 8th, paramedics were dispatched to Nex’s home in response to a medical emergency. During the emergency call, Sue Benedict, Nex’s mother, expressed concern over their shallow breathing and rolling eyes. She mentioned that they had expected the school to thoroughly examine Nex after the incident. Later, Sue acknowledged in an online post that she was still adjusting to using Nex’s preferred pronouns.
Paramedics performed CPR before rushing Nex to the hospital, where they tragically passed away. A lawyer representing the Benedict family highlighted the devastating impact of bullying and school violence and referred to Nex’s death as a preventable tragedy. They called for a joint effort from school, local, state, and national officials to investigate the incident, hold those responsible accountable, and ensure such incidents never occur again.
The latest statement from the police disclosed that preliminary autopsy results suggest that Nex did not die as a result of trauma. However, further toxicology and test results are awaited before any conclusive statements can be made. The school has not confirmed whether Nex was bullied based on their gender identity but emphasized their zero-tolerance policy towards bullying of any kind.
Reactions and Vigils Across the Nation
Nex Benedict’s untimely death has sparked mourning and solidarity nationwide. Multiple vigils were held in Oklahoma on Friday night, with over a dozen more scheduled across different cities in the United States on Monday. An online fundraiser was set up to cover the funeral expenses and has already raised an astounding $150,000. In a heartfelt message, Sue Benedict expressed her gratitude for the overwhelming love and support from everyone.
White House press secretary Karen Jean-Pierre acknowledged the tragedy of Nex’s death and stressed the importance of creating a safe and protected environment for all students. Advocacy group Freedom Oklahoma pointed out that while the facts surrounding the incident are still being established, members of the LGBTQ+ community have been facing increased hostility due to state laws and rhetoric from elected officials.
Criticism has been directed towards Oklahoma’s laws that restrict students from using school facilities that do not align with their sex assigned at birth. Ryan Walters, Oklahoma’s public school superintendent, referred to Nex’s death as a tragedy but maintained his belief that there are only two genders, as created by God. Rainbow Youth Project USA, a crisis hotline for young LGBTQ+ individuals, reported a more than 500% increase in calls from the state.
As the investigation into Nex Benedict’s death continues, the nation mourns the loss of a young life and calls for accountability, understanding, and change to prevent similar tragedies from occurring in the future.
