Nex Benedict, a 16-year-old non-binary student, was severely injured and died a day later after an altercation with classmates in a school bathroom in Owasso, Oklahoma.
The incident, which occurred on February 7. The incident, which occurred on February 7, sparked nationwide outrage and a debate about bullying and violence in schools, particularly against LGBTQ+ people.
Nex Benedict was attacked and critically injured by three female classmates. Although the exact cause of death has not yet been determined, preliminary autopsy results indicate that the injuries sustained in the beating did not immediately lead to death.
Police are awaiting the results of toxicology and other tests before a final cause of death is determined by the medical examiner.
Nex Benedict’s family has released a statement saying that their child was bullied because of his non-binary identity and calling for a thorough investigation of the incident.
The police are currently questioning school staff and students to learn more about the circumstances of the fight.
The tragedy also caught the attention of Vice President Kamala Harris, who expressed her condolences and emphasized that bullying in any form is unacceptable and must be taken seriously.
In recent years, Oklahoma has passed several laws targeting transgender and non-binary people, which critics say has contributed to a hostile climate toward LGBTQ+ people.
The community mourns Nex Benedict and calls for change to prevent such tragic events from happening again.