An 18-year-old student at Benjamin Franklin High School in Los Angeles was brutally beaten up by another classmate before he jumped to his death from a four-story building, and the horrific incident was captured on camera.
Footage of the incident that took place on Wednesday, September 30, showed the now-deceased student being verbally and physically assaulted by a classmate. An elderly teacher tried to intervene by separating the two, but the attacker managed to punch the victim until he was on the ground.
As the victim later got back on his feet, the attacker was heard saying, “Run, n***a — run.”
The student who was attacked then ran through an outdoor hallway as the student who punched him followed behind. The victim then jumped over the balcony’s railing and fell four stories to his death.
Several students were left in shock as people were heard shouting, “Oh my God!” in the video.
The camera then briefly showed the deceased student lying motionless on the ground.
The Los Angeles Police Department confirmed that the student’s fatal fall was reported around 1 p.m. on September 30. The names of the victim and attacker have not yet been publicly shared. Authorities have also not shared whether anyone has been charged in connection to the student’s death.
Police did clarify that preliminary evidence indicates that the victim was not being actively chased, threatened or followed when he went over the railing.
Principal Marine Davtyan sent an email to the school’s community about the incident on September 30, explaining that privacy and confidentiality laws prevented school leadership from sharing additional details about the fatal situation.
“We recognize that events such as this can affect students and staff in different ways. The well-being of our school community remains our top priority. School mental health professionals and support staff will be available throughout the day tomorrow to provide counseling, support, and a safe space for students who may wish to talk,” Davtyan said in a statement, per Fox 11. “We encourage families to check in with their children and remind them that it is okay to seek support when needed.”
Following the tragedy, the LAPD’s Northeast Station and the medical examiner have been conducting witness interviews and reviewing video footage in order to establish what happened leading up to the boy jumping.
The school has also set in place extra security measures, including adding multiple LAUSD school police vehicles and patrolling officers.
Mental health professionals and crisis counselors have also been made available in order to provide emotional support to students and faculty.
The LAPD had no additional information to share when contacted by Us.
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