Accident – Death – Obituary News :
Tragic Incident at Owasso High School Sparks Outcry Against Bullying
In a small town in Oklahoma, a tragic incident has shaken the community to its core. More than a dozen students at Owasso High School walked out of class on Monday to protest the death of a 16-year-old nonbinary student who was beaten inside a restroom and later died.
The incident has sparked outrage among students and LGBTQ+ advocates, who are demanding action against discrimination and bullying of transgender and gender nonconforming students. The victim, Nex Benedict, identified as nonbinary and used they/them pronouns. Their family revealed that Benedict had been the target of bullying at the school.
As students gathered at an intersection across from Owasso High School, holding signs that read “You Are Loved” and “Protect Queer Kids”, the LGBTQ advocacy group GLAAD issued a statement condemning the violence. They stated, “It is appalling and shameful that Nex Benedict endured a year of anti-LGBTQ harassment, then a brutal beating in the school bathroom.”
Investigation Underway
While the state medical examiner’s office has not released the cause of Benedict’s death, preliminary results indicate that it was not directly related to the injuries sustained in the fight. Police are currently investigating the incident and will be forwarding their findings to the district attorney’s office to determine potential criminal charges.
Vigils have been held across Oklahoma and the nation in honor of Nex Benedict, as the community mourns the loss of a young life cut short by senseless violence. The incident has shed light on the ongoing issue of bullying and discrimination faced by LGBTQ+ students in schools.
Call for Change
The tragic events at Owasso High School have sparked a renewed call for action to protect all students from harm and ensure a safe and inclusive environment for everyone. As the community comes together to mourn the loss of Nex Benedict, there is hope that their death will not be in vain, but rather serve as a catalyst for change and a commitment to ending bullying and discrimination in schools.
.