Tragic Death of Teen Sparks LGBTQ+ Advocates’ Call for Justice
In a heartbreaking turn of events, the death of an Oklahoma teenager has ignited a wave of demands for answers from LGBTQ+ advocates. Nex Benedict, a 10th grade student at Owasso High School, tragically passed away on February 8th, just a day after being involved in a fight with other students. The incident has raised concerns about bullying and violence within schools, particularly towards LGBTQ+ individuals.
The exact cause of Nex’s death is still under investigation, and it remains unclear whether the fight directly contributed to their passing. Preliminary findings from an early autopsy suggest that trauma was not the cause, according to police. Toxicology and additional test results are pending to shed more light on the circumstances surrounding Nex’s tragic demise.
Recently released body camera footage and surveillance videos, along with 911 calls, have provided further insight into the altercation that preceded Nex’s death. The footage shows an Owasso police officer engaging with Nex and their guardian, Sue Benedict, at a hospital after the fight occurred in a school bathroom. Nex reveals to the officer that they did not know the other students involved in the fight but had been subjected to ridicule in the past regarding their appearance.
According to Nex’s account, the confrontation escalated when derogatory comments were made about them and their friends. In response, Nex admits to pouring water on the students involved. This action led to physical aggression, with Nex being thrown to the ground and brutally beaten by their peers. One of Nex’s friends attempted to intervene but was unable to prevent the assault. Nex recalls blacking out during the incident, leaving them unsure of what transpired afterward.
The police officer cautions Nex and Sue Benedict that throwing liquid on someone could be viewed as assault and may have triggered the altercation. Ultimately, the Benedicts decide not to press charges against the other students involved. The physical fight was eventually broken up by other students and a faculty member, and all parties were escorted to the assistant principal’s and nurse’s offices.
The newly released surveillance videos depict a group of students making their way from the school cafeteria to a restroom. Nex can be seen entering the restroom with two others before leaving with them later. Another video shows Nex being escorted by the school’s security officer to the nurse’s office and then to the principal’s office. Nex ultimately leaves the school with their guardian.
The incident has raised questions about how schools handle incidents of violence and bullying. Owasso Public Schools confirmed that a “physical altercation occurred in a restroom” but did not provide further details due to privacy laws. The district stated that no ambulance was called, but it was recommended that Nex visit a medical facility for examination. The exact disciplinary actions taken against the students involved remain undisclosed.
Nex’s tragic death has drawn attention to broader issues faced by the LGBTQ+ community in Oklahoma and beyond. LGBTQ+ advocates have criticized state officials for actions perceived as targeting LGBTQ+ individuals, such as the passage of a “bathroom bill” requiring students to use facilities based on their assigned sex at birth. Last year alone, a record-breaking 510 anti-LGBTQ+ bills were introduced in state legislatures nationwide, according to data from the American Civil Liberties Union.
As investigations into Nex Benedict’s death continue, their family has released a statement expressing their concern over the incident. They call for a thorough and expedient investigation, emphasizing the devastating impact of bullying and urging meaningful change to prevent such tragedies in the future.
The loss of Nex Benedict serves as a stark reminder of the urgent need to address bullying and violence within schools, particularly against LGBTQ+ students. It is a call for justice and a plea for a more inclusive and accepting society, where no family has to endure the pain of another preventable tragedy.