DorkMaster62442 (talk | contribs) Fixed typo #article-section-source-editor Tags: Mobile edit Mobile app edit iOS app edit |
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'''Nex Benedict''' ({{circa|2008}} – February 8, 2024) was a 16-year-old [[non-binary]] American student who died after being attacked at their high school. Benedict, who had previously been bullied at school, was beaten in the women's restroom at [[Owasso High School]] in [[Owasso, Oklahoma]], and died the following day.<ref name="LABladeLevesque19Feb">{{cite news |url=https://www.losangelesblade.com/2024/02/19/oklahoma-non-binary-high-schooler-dies-after-physical-altercation/ |title=Oklahoma non-binary high schooler dies after physical altercation |last=Levesque |first=Brody |date=February 19, 2024 |work=[[Los Angeles Blade]] |access-date=February 21, 2024 |archive-date=February 20, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240220051524/https://www.losangelesblade.com/2024/02/19/oklahoma-non-binary-high-schooler-dies-after-physical-altercation/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="FreedomOKFebStatement">{{cite web |title=Rest in power Nex Benedict |url=https://www.freedomoklahoma.org/news/nex-benedict |access-date=February 21, 2024 |website=Freedom Oklahoma |date=February 19, 2024 |archive-date=February 20, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240220193942/https://www.freedomoklahoma.org/news/nex-benedict |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="IndianzAgoyo21Feb">{{cite news |url=https://indianz.com/News/2024/02/21/we-pray-nexs-family-choctaw-nation-mourns-loss-of-young-student/ |title=Nex's death weighs heavily on the hearts of the Choctaw people |date=February 21, 2024 |last=Agoyo |first=Acee |access-date=February 21, 2024 |work=Indianz.Com |archive-date=February 21, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240221214747/https://indianz.com/News/2024/02/21/we-pray-nexs-family-choctaw-nation-mourns-loss-of-young-student/ |url-status=live }}</ref> {{As of|2024|02}}, the cause of their death has not yet been established, and an autopsy is still pending.<ref name="AdvocateWiggins20Feb">{{Cite magazine |title=Oklahoma transgender student dies after assault at school |url=https://www.advocate.com/news/transgender-student-death-raichik-walters |access-date=February 21, 2024 |magazine=[[The Advocate (magazine)|The Advocate]] |date=February 20, 2024 |last=Wiggins |first=Christopher |archive-date=February 22, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240222033558/https://www.advocate.com/news/transgender-student-death-raichik-walters |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="IndependentHurley20Feb">{{Cite news |date=February 20, 2024 |title=Oklahoma banned trans students from bathrooms. Now a bullied student is dead |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/nex-benedict-dead-oklahoma-b2499332.html |access-date=February 21, 2024 |website=[[The Independent]] |last=Hurley |first=Bevan |archive-date=February 20, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240220231802/https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/nex-benedict-dead-oklahoma-b2499332.html |url-status=live }}</ref> |
'''Nex Benedict''' ({{circa|2008}} – February 8, 2024) was a 16-year-old [[non-binary]] American student who died after being attacked at their high school. Benedict, who had previously been bullied at school, was beaten by older peers in the women's restroom at [[Owasso High School]] in [[Owasso, Oklahoma]], and died the following day.<ref name="LABladeLevesque19Feb">{{cite news |url=https://www.losangelesblade.com/2024/02/19/oklahoma-non-binary-high-schooler-dies-after-physical-altercation/ |title=Oklahoma non-binary high schooler dies after physical altercation |last=Levesque |first=Brody |date=February 19, 2024 |work=[[Los Angeles Blade]] |access-date=February 21, 2024 |archive-date=February 20, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240220051524/https://www.losangelesblade.com/2024/02/19/oklahoma-non-binary-high-schooler-dies-after-physical-altercation/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="FreedomOKFebStatement">{{cite web |title=Rest in power Nex Benedict |url=https://www.freedomoklahoma.org/news/nex-benedict |access-date=February 21, 2024 |website=Freedom Oklahoma |date=February 19, 2024 |archive-date=February 20, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240220193942/https://www.freedomoklahoma.org/news/nex-benedict |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="IndianzAgoyo21Feb">{{cite news |url=https://indianz.com/News/2024/02/21/we-pray-nexs-family-choctaw-nation-mourns-loss-of-young-student/ |title=Nex's death weighs heavily on the hearts of the Choctaw people |date=February 21, 2024 |last=Agoyo |first=Acee |access-date=February 21, 2024 |work=Indianz.Com |archive-date=February 21, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240221214747/https://indianz.com/News/2024/02/21/we-pray-nexs-family-choctaw-nation-mourns-loss-of-young-student/ |url-status=live }}</ref> {{As of|2024|02}}, the cause of their death has not yet been established, and an autopsy is still pending.<ref name="AdvocateWiggins20Feb">{{Cite magazine |title=Oklahoma transgender student dies after assault at school |url=https://www.advocate.com/news/transgender-student-death-raichik-walters |access-date=February 21, 2024 |magazine=[[The Advocate (magazine)|The Advocate]] |date=February 20, 2024 |last=Wiggins |first=Christopher |archive-date=February 22, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240222033558/https://www.advocate.com/news/transgender-student-death-raichik-walters |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="IndependentHurley20Feb">{{Cite news |date=February 20, 2024 |title=Oklahoma banned trans students from bathrooms. Now a bullied student is dead |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/nex-benedict-dead-oklahoma-b2499332.html |access-date=February 21, 2024 |website=[[The Independent]] |last=Hurley |first=Bevan |archive-date=February 20, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240220231802/https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/nex-benedict-dead-oklahoma-b2499332.html |url-status=live }}</ref> |
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==Background== |
==Background== |
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==Death== |
==Death== |
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According to Benedict, |
According to Benedict, three older girls had bullied them and their friends at [[Owasso High School]] just before the incident, mocking them for their clothing style.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2024-02-24 |title=Nex Benedict’s mother blindsided by release of 911 call and body cam footage |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/nex-benedict-owasso-police-bodycam-b2501924.html |access-date=2024-02-24 |website=The Independent |language=en}}</ref> As retaliation, while in the bathroom of their [[Sex assignment|assigned sex]] per Oklahoma law, Benedict poured water on one of the three girls who mocked them,<ref>{{cite magazine |last=Wiggins |first=Christopher |date=February 21, 2024 |title=What we know about Oklahoma nonbinary teen Nex Benedict's tragic death |url=https://www.advocate.com/news/nex-benedict-what-we-know |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240222010714/https://www.advocate.com/news/nex-benedict-what-we-know |archive-date=February 22, 2024 |access-date=February 22, 2024 |magazine=[[The Advocate (magazine)|The Advocate]]}}</ref> which led to Benedict being retaliated against by the three girls. During the altercation, Benedict sustained severe head injuries after being knocked to the ground and having their head repeatedly slammed into the floor.<ref>{{Cite news |work=The Independent |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/nex-benedict-oklahoma-ossawa-non-binary-b2500209.html |title=Nex Benedict: Non-binary student who died after Oklahoma bathroom assault was a ‘shining light’}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=McMenamin |first=Lex |date=February 21, 2024 |title=Nex Benedict: Everything We Know About 16-Year-Old Oklahoma Student's Death |url=https://www.teenvogue.com/story/nex-benedict-everything-we-know-about-16-year-old-oklahoma-students-death |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240221232902/https://www.teenvogue.com/story/nex-benedict-everything-we-know-about-16-year-old-oklahoma-students-death |archive-date=February 21, 2024 |access-date=February 21, 2024 |work=[[Teen Vogue]]}}</ref> They were found covered in facial bruises near their eyes and had scratches on the back of their head.<ref name="IndependentHurley20Feb" /><ref>{{Cite news |last=Rajkumar |first=Shruti |date=February 21, 2024 |title=Bullied Transgender Teen Dies After Alleged Assault By Students In Oklahoma |url=https://www.huffpost.com/entry/bullied-transgender-teen-dies-after-alleged-assault-by-students-in-oklahoma_n_65d54e83e4b0b65d6920ed51 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240221163741/https://www.huffpost.com/entry/bullied-transgender-teen-dies-after-alleged-assault-by-students-in-oklahoma_n_65d54e83e4b0b65d6920ed51 |archive-date=February 21, 2024 |access-date=February 21, 2024 |work=[[Huffington Post]]}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Rose |first=Andy |date=February 21, 2024 |title=Nex Benedict: Death of Oklahoma teen after fight in school has LGBTQ+ advocates seeking answers |url=https://www.cnn.com/2024/02/21/us/oklahoma-teen-death-school-fight/index.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240222035607/https://www.cnn.com/2024/02/21/us/oklahoma-teen-death-school-fight/index.html |archive-date=February 22, 2024 |access-date=February 22, 2024 |work=[[CNN]]}}</ref> |
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Per school officials, the students involved were in the restroom for less than two minutes and the "physical altercation" was broken up by other students that were present in the restroom and a staff member who was supervising outside of the restroom.<ref name=":0">{{Cite news |last=Alfonseca |first=Kiara |date=February 21, 2024 |title=Oklahoma death of nonbinary student Nex Benedict after in-school fight prompts calls for answers |url=https://abcnews.go.com/US/oklahoma-death-nonbinary-student-nex-benedict-after-school/story?id=107384625 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240221160535/https://abcnews.go.com/US/oklahoma-death-nonbinary-student-nex-benedict-after-school/story?id=107384625 |archive-date=February 21, 2024 |access-date=February 21, 2024 |work=[[ABC News]]}}</ref> According to reports by school officials all students “walked under their own power” to the nurse and then to the assistant principal's office after the altercation, where they were given a health assessment, gave statements, and contacted their parents according to the school district. School administration stated “out of an abundance of caution,” |
Per school officials, the students involved were in the restroom for less than two minutes and the "physical altercation" was broken up by other students that were present in the restroom and a staff member who was supervising outside of the restroom.<ref name=":0">{{Cite news |last=Alfonseca |first=Kiara |date=February 21, 2024 |title=Oklahoma death of nonbinary student Nex Benedict after in-school fight prompts calls for answers |url=https://abcnews.go.com/US/oklahoma-death-nonbinary-student-nex-benedict-after-school/story?id=107384625 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240221160535/https://abcnews.go.com/US/oklahoma-death-nonbinary-student-nex-benedict-after-school/story?id=107384625 |archive-date=February 21, 2024 |access-date=February 21, 2024 |work=[[ABC News]]}}</ref> According to reports by school officials all students “walked under their own power” to the nurse and then to the assistant principal's office after the altercation, where they were given a health assessment, gave statements, and contacted their parents according to the school district. School administration stated “out of an abundance of caution,” they advised an unnamed student's parent to take them to a medical facility for further evaluation.<ref name=":1">{{Cite news |last1=Stelloh |first1=Tim |last2=Guevara |first2=Sarah |last3=Burke |first3=Minyvonne |date=February 21, 2024 |title=Oklahoma student dies one day after fight in high school bathroom |url=https://www.nbcnews.com/nbc-out/out-news/oklahoma-student-dies-one-day-fight-high-school-bathroom-rcna139643 |access-date=February 21, 2024 |work=[[NBC News]] |archive-date=February 21, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240221163409/https://www.nbcnews.com/nbc-out/out-news/oklahoma-student-dies-one-day-fight-high-school-bathroom-rcna139643 |url-status=live }}</ref> |
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According to Benedict's grandmother, Sue Benedict, who had raised Benedict since they were two months old and adopted them in 2022,<ref name="AdvocateWiggins20Feb" /> the school did not call an ambulance or the police, and instead ordered Benedict suspended for two weeks.<ref name="IndependentHurley20Feb" /> Sue took Benedict to a nearby hospital for treatment,<ref name="IndependentHurley20Feb" /> where she summoned the Owasso Police Department at around 3:30 p.m ([[Central Time Zone|CT]]).<ref name="LABladeLevesque19Feb" /> There, the police informed Benedict that both sides were being charged with assault, with Benedict being treated as the primary aggressor.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Wiggins |first1=Christopher |title=Watch alarming video of Nex Benedict explaining to police that they were bullied |url=https://www.advocate.com/news/nex-benedict-police-video |access-date=February 24, 2024 |publisher=Advocate |date=February 23, 2024}}</ref><ref>{{Citation |title=Owasso police release audio, video recordings from investigation into Nex Benedict's death |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O5nHh8ghaEc |access-date=February 24, 2024 |language=en}}</ref> Benedict was discharged later that day, and reportedly went to sleep with a sore head.<ref name="IndependentHurley20Feb" /> |
According to Benedict's grandmother, Sue Benedict, who had raised Benedict since they were two months old and adopted them in 2022,<ref name="AdvocateWiggins20Feb" /> the school did not call an ambulance or the police, and instead ordered Benedict suspended for two weeks.<ref name="IndependentHurley20Feb" /> Sue took Benedict to a nearby hospital for treatment,<ref name="IndependentHurley20Feb" /> where she summoned the Owasso Police Department at around 3:30 p.m ([[Central Time Zone|CT]]).<ref name="LABladeLevesque19Feb" /> There, the police informed Benedict that both sides were being charged with assault, with Benedict being treated as the primary aggressor.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Wiggins |first1=Christopher |title=Watch alarming video of Nex Benedict explaining to police that they were bullied |url=https://www.advocate.com/news/nex-benedict-police-video |access-date=February 24, 2024 |publisher=Advocate |date=February 23, 2024}}</ref><ref>{{Citation |title=Owasso police release audio, video recordings from investigation into Nex Benedict's death |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O5nHh8ghaEc |access-date=February 24, 2024 |language=en}}</ref> Benedict was discharged later that day, and reportedly went to sleep with a sore head.<ref name="IndependentHurley20Feb" /> |
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In a statement to ''[[The Advocate (magazine)|The Advocate]]'', Dan Yancy, Owasso Police Chief, said that "no report of the incident was made to the Owasso Police Department prior to the notification at the hospital."<ref name="AdvocateWiggins20Feb" /> Investigations by the Owasso Police Department to determine the events that led to Benedict's death are ongoing. {{as of|2024|02|21|df=US}}, police are awaiting toxicology and autopsy results from the local [[medical examiner]]'s office before determining whether anyone will be charged.<ref name="IndependentHurley20Feb" /> Law enforcement conducted interviews with school staff and students with all findings sent to the Tulsa County District Attorney's Office.<ref name=":0" /> |
In a statement to ''[[The Advocate (magazine)|The Advocate]]'', Dan Yancy, Owasso Police Chief, said that "no report of the incident was made to the Owasso Police Department prior to the notification at the hospital."<ref name="AdvocateWiggins20Feb" /> Investigations by the Owasso Police Department to determine the events that led to Benedict's death are ongoing. {{as of|2024|02|21|df=US}}, police are awaiting toxicology and autopsy results from the local [[medical examiner]]'s office before determining whether anyone will be charged.<ref name="IndependentHurley20Feb" /> Law enforcement conducted interviews with school staff and students with all findings sent to the Tulsa County District Attorney's Office.<ref name=":0" /> |
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On February 21, a police department spokesperson said that hallway video from inside the school, showing Benedict before and after the incident, has been reviewed by investigators and will be released "at some point".<ref name="nbc-21feb2024">{{cite news |last1=Burke |first1=Minyvonne |last2=Stelloh |first2=Tim |last3=Yurcaba |first3=Jo |title=Authorities to release video from school where family of LGBTQ student said teen was attacked day before their death |url=https://www.nbcnews.com/nbc-out/out-news/authorities-release-video-school-family-lgbtq-student-said-teen-was-at-rcna139885 |access-date=February 21, 2024 |work=[[NBC News]] |date=February 21, 2024 |archive-date=February 22, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240222040957/https://www.nbcnews.com/nbc-out/out-news/authorities-release-video-school-family-lgbtq-student-said-teen-was-at-rcna139885 |url-status=live }}</ref> |
On February 21, a police department spokesperson said that hallway video from inside the school, showing Benedict before and after the incident, has been reviewed by investigators and will be released "at some point".<ref name="nbc-21feb2024">{{cite news |last1=Burke |first1=Minyvonne |last2=Stelloh |first2=Tim |last3=Yurcaba |first3=Jo |title=Authorities to release video from school where family of LGBTQ student said teen was attacked day before their death |url=https://www.nbcnews.com/nbc-out/out-news/authorities-release-video-school-family-lgbtq-student-said-teen-was-at-rcna139885 |access-date=February 21, 2024 |work=[[NBC News]] |date=February 21, 2024 |archive-date=February 22, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240222040957/https://www.nbcnews.com/nbc-out/out-news/authorities-release-video-school-family-lgbtq-student-said-teen-was-at-rcna139885 |url-status=live }}</ref> On February 23, the Owasso police released footage from school surveillance cameras, officer worn body cameras, and audio of the 911 calls made by Sue Benedict on February 7 and 8.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.fox23.com/news/owasso-police-release-body-cam-video-911-call-leading-up-to-students-death-following-fight/article_6bc7bb00-d28a-11ee-a4ba-b762d43b180b.html |title=Owasso Police release body cam video, 911 call, leading up to student's death following fight in school bathroom |date=February 23, 2024 |work=[[KOKI-TV|Fox24 News]] |access-date=February 24, 2024 |archive-date=February 24, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240224043647/https://www.fox23.com/news/owasso-police-release-body-cam-video-911-call-leading-up-to-students-death-following-fight/article_6bc7bb00-d28a-11ee-a4ba-b762d43b180b.html |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.kjrh.com/news/local-news/owasso-police-release-audio-video-recordings-from-investigation-into-nex-benedicts-death |title=Owasso police release audio, video recordings from investigation into Nex Benedict's death |date=February 23, 2024 |work=[[KJRH-TV|2 News Oklahoma]] |access-date=February 24, 2024 |archive-date=February 24, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240224052524/https://www.kjrh.com/news/local-news/owasso-police-release-audio-video-recordings-from-investigation-into-nex-benedicts-death |url-status=live }}</ref> |
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The Owasso Police Department said that initial autopsy information showed that the death was not trauma-related,<ref>{{cite web |title=Oklahoma police say bullied nonbinary teen Nex Benedict 'did not die as a result of trauma' |url=https://www.advocate.com/news/nex-benedict-death-unrelated-trauma |website=advocate.com |publisher=Advocate |access-date=February 24, 2024}}</ref> though this is disputed. The Benedict family is privately investigating the incident, also stating there were other facts not publicly available.<ref>{{cite web |title=Nex Benedict's family will privately investigate bullied non-binary student's death after fight |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/nex-benedict-death-cause-investigation-b2501551.html |website=independent.co.uk |publisher=The Independent |access-date=February 24, 2024}}</ref> |
The Owasso Police Department said that initial autopsy information showed that the death was not trauma-related,<ref>{{cite web |title=Oklahoma police say bullied nonbinary teen Nex Benedict 'did not die as a result of trauma' |url=https://www.advocate.com/news/nex-benedict-death-unrelated-trauma |website=advocate.com |publisher=Advocate |access-date=February 24, 2024}}</ref> though this is disputed.{{By whom|date=February 2024}} The Benedict family is privately investigating the incident, also stating there were other facts not publicly available.<ref>{{cite web |title=Nex Benedict's family will privately investigate bullied non-binary student's death after fight |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/nex-benedict-death-cause-investigation-b2501551.html |website=independent.co.uk |publisher=The Independent |access-date=February 24, 2024}}</ref> |
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== Aftermath == |
== Aftermath == |
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==Reactions== |
==Reactions== |
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Although Benedict's cause of death has not yet been determined to have been caused by the attack, at least one [[LGBTQ]] [[advocacy group]], [[Freedom Oklahoma]], has described the reported attack that preceded Benedict's death as a possible [[hate crime]].<ref name="IndependentHurley20Feb" /><ref name="FreedomOKFebStatement" /> |
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[[Chuck Hoskin Jr.|Chuck Hoskin Jr]]., the principal chief of the [[Cherokee Nation]], spoke out about Benedict's death, stating they were a "wonderful child whose experience and identity matter and was worth celebrating".<ref name=":1" /> |
[[Chuck Hoskin Jr.|Chuck Hoskin Jr]]., the principal chief of the [[Cherokee Nation]], spoke out about Benedict's death, stating they were a "wonderful child whose experience and identity matter and was worth celebrating".<ref name=":1" /> |
Revision as of 19:04, 24 February 2024
Nex Benedict | |
---|---|
Born | 2008 |
Died | (aged 16) Owasso, Oklahoma, U.S. |
Nex Benedict (c. 2008 – February 8, 2024) was a 16-year-old non-binary American student who died after being attacked at their high school. Benedict, who had previously been bullied at school, was beaten by older peers in the women's restroom at Owasso High School in Owasso, Oklahoma, and died the following day.[1][2][3] As of February 2024, the cause of their death has not yet been established, and an autopsy is still pending.[4][5]
Background
Nex Benedict was born in 2008 to a mother enrolled in the Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma.[3]
Death
According to Benedict, three older girls had bullied them and their friends at Owasso High School just before the incident, mocking them for their clothing style.[6] As retaliation, while in the bathroom of their assigned sex per Oklahoma law, Benedict poured water on one of the three girls who mocked them,[7] which led to Benedict being retaliated against by the three girls. During the altercation, Benedict sustained severe head injuries after being knocked to the ground and having their head repeatedly slammed into the floor.[8][9] They were found covered in facial bruises near their eyes and had scratches on the back of their head.[5][10][11]
Per school officials, the students involved were in the restroom for less than two minutes and the "physical altercation" was broken up by other students that were present in the restroom and a staff member who was supervising outside of the restroom.[12] According to reports by school officials all students “walked under their own power” to the nurse and then to the assistant principal's office after the altercation, where they were given a health assessment, gave statements, and contacted their parents according to the school district. School administration stated “out of an abundance of caution,” they advised an unnamed student's parent to take them to a medical facility for further evaluation.[13]
According to Benedict's grandmother, Sue Benedict, who had raised Benedict since they were two months old and adopted them in 2022,[4] the school did not call an ambulance or the police, and instead ordered Benedict suspended for two weeks.[5] Sue took Benedict to a nearby hospital for treatment,[5] where she summoned the Owasso Police Department at around 3:30 p.m (CT).[1] There, the police informed Benedict that both sides were being charged with assault, with Benedict being treated as the primary aggressor.[14][15] Benedict was discharged later that day, and reportedly went to sleep with a sore head.[5]
The following day, on February 8, as they were preparing to travel with their grandmother for an appointment, Benedict collapsed in the family's living room. An ambulance was called, and Benedict had stopped breathing by the time EMTs arrived.[5] Benedict was declared dead at the hospital that evening.[5]
Investigation
In a statement to The Advocate, Dan Yancy, Owasso Police Chief, said that "no report of the incident was made to the Owasso Police Department prior to the notification at the hospital."[4] Investigations by the Owasso Police Department to determine the events that led to Benedict's death are ongoing. As of February 21, 2024, police are awaiting toxicology and autopsy results from the local medical examiner's office before determining whether anyone will be charged.[5] Law enforcement conducted interviews with school staff and students with all findings sent to the Tulsa County District Attorney's Office.[12]
On February 21, a police department spokesperson said that hallway video from inside the school, showing Benedict before and after the incident, has been reviewed by investigators and will be released "at some point".[16] On February 23, the Owasso police released footage from school surveillance cameras, officer worn body cameras, and audio of the 911 calls made by Sue Benedict on February 7 and 8.[17][18]
The Owasso Police Department said that initial autopsy information showed that the death was not trauma-related,[19] though this is disputed.[by whom?] The Benedict family is privately investigating the incident, also stating there were other facts not publicly available.[20]
Aftermath
In a letter to parents, Owasso Public Schools said it would be increasing the number of security personnel within the district, updating their safety drills and rules, and providing counseling services for students affected by the death.[21][22][23]
Reactions
Although Benedict's cause of death has not yet been determined to have been caused by the attack, at least one LGBTQ advocacy group, Freedom Oklahoma, has described the reported attack that preceded Benedict's death as a possible hate crime.[5][2]
Chuck Hoskin Jr., the principal chief of the Cherokee Nation, spoke out about Benedict's death, stating they were a "wonderful child whose experience and identity matter and was worth celebrating".[13]
The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) issued a statement linking the attack on Benedict with Oklahoma Senate Bill 615, a law passed by the state legislature that required multi-occupation restrooms in public schools or public charter schools in Oklahoma to be for the exclusive use of either the male or the female sex, "as designated on individuals' original birth certificates".[24] LGBT activists and advocacy groups have linked the death to rhetoric spread by Chaya Raichik on her Libs of TikTok social media accounts, including an event prior to Benedict's attack in which a video featuring one of Benedict's teachers was shared by Raichik.[5][25][21] This came in the wake of Raichik's appointment to the Oklahoma Department of Education's Library Media Advisory Committee by Ryan Walters, the Oklahoma Superintendent of Public Instruction, in January 2024.[5][25]
A hotline run by the Indianapolis-based Rainbow Youth Project was reported as receiving over 200 calls from Oklahoma in the weekend following Benedict's death, more than three times the usual amount, with many mentioning Benedict's death, and most reporting having been bullied themselves.[26]
After city police claimed the death was not related to the altercation, multiple activists and groups called for an independent or federal investigation, including the Human Rights Campaign and House Minority Leader Ritchie Torres.[27]
Vice President Kamala Harris said that "her heart goes out to Nex Benedict's family" and that she stood with LGBTQ+ youth.[28]
During the Feb. 23 Legislative Update panel in Tahlequah, Oklahoma, which consisted of four Republican senators, audience member Cathy Cott asked why the Oklahoma legislature has "such an obsession with the LGBTQ citizens of Oklahoma and what people do in their personal lives and how they raise their children," and linked Benedict's death as a result of the "50 bills targeting the LGBTQ community". State Sen. Tom Woods, R-District 4, responded that his "heart goes out" in regards to Benedict's death, while asserting that Oklahoma is a "religious," "Christian," and "moral" state whose constituency "doesn't want that filth in Oklahoma". Michael Stopp, moderator of the forum and chairman of the Chamber of Commerce Government Affairs, said that the death was "terrible" but claimed media coverage of the death was "blown out of proportion," while indicating infighting within the school district in response to the death.[29]
References
- ^ a b Levesque, Brody (February 19, 2024). "Oklahoma non-binary high schooler dies after physical altercation". Los Angeles Blade. Archived from the original on February 20, 2024. Retrieved February 21, 2024.
- ^ a b "Rest in power Nex Benedict". Freedom Oklahoma. February 19, 2024. Archived from the original on February 20, 2024. Retrieved February 21, 2024.
- ^ a b Agoyo, Acee (February 21, 2024). "Nex's death weighs heavily on the hearts of the Choctaw people". Indianz.Com. Archived from the original on February 21, 2024. Retrieved February 21, 2024.
- ^ a b c Wiggins, Christopher (February 20, 2024). "Oklahoma transgender student dies after assault at school". The Advocate. Archived from the original on February 22, 2024. Retrieved February 21, 2024.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k Hurley, Bevan (February 20, 2024). "Oklahoma banned trans students from bathrooms. Now a bullied student is dead". The Independent. Archived from the original on February 20, 2024. Retrieved February 21, 2024.
- ^ "Nex Benedict's mother blindsided by release of 911 call and body cam footage". The Independent. February 24, 2024. Retrieved February 24, 2024.
- ^ Wiggins, Christopher (February 21, 2024). "What we know about Oklahoma nonbinary teen Nex Benedict's tragic death". The Advocate. Archived from the original on February 22, 2024. Retrieved February 22, 2024.
- ^ "Nex Benedict: Non-binary student who died after Oklahoma bathroom assault was a 'shining light'". The Independent.
- ^ McMenamin, Lex (February 21, 2024). "Nex Benedict: Everything We Know About 16-Year-Old Oklahoma Student's Death". Teen Vogue. Archived from the original on February 21, 2024. Retrieved February 21, 2024.
- ^ Rajkumar, Shruti (February 21, 2024). "Bullied Transgender Teen Dies After Alleged Assault By Students In Oklahoma". Huffington Post. Archived from the original on February 21, 2024. Retrieved February 21, 2024.
- ^ Rose, Andy (February 21, 2024). "Nex Benedict: Death of Oklahoma teen after fight in school has LGBTQ+ advocates seeking answers". CNN. Archived from the original on February 22, 2024. Retrieved February 22, 2024.
- ^ a b Alfonseca, Kiara (February 21, 2024). "Oklahoma death of nonbinary student Nex Benedict after in-school fight prompts calls for answers". ABC News. Archived from the original on February 21, 2024. Retrieved February 21, 2024.
- ^ a b Stelloh, Tim; Guevara, Sarah; Burke, Minyvonne (February 21, 2024). "Oklahoma student dies one day after fight in high school bathroom". NBC News. Archived from the original on February 21, 2024. Retrieved February 21, 2024.
- ^ Wiggins, Christopher (February 23, 2024). "Watch alarming video of Nex Benedict explaining to police that they were bullied". Advocate. Retrieved February 24, 2024.
- ^ Owasso police release audio, video recordings from investigation into Nex Benedict's death, retrieved February 24, 2024
- ^ Burke, Minyvonne; Stelloh, Tim; Yurcaba, Jo (February 21, 2024). "Authorities to release video from school where family of LGBTQ student said teen was attacked day before their death". NBC News. Archived from the original on February 22, 2024. Retrieved February 21, 2024.
- ^ "Owasso Police release body cam video, 911 call, leading up to student's death following fight in school bathroom". Fox24 News. February 23, 2024. Archived from the original on February 24, 2024. Retrieved February 24, 2024.
- ^ "Owasso police release audio, video recordings from investigation into Nex Benedict's death". 2 News Oklahoma. February 23, 2024. Archived from the original on February 24, 2024. Retrieved February 24, 2024.
- ^ "Oklahoma police say bullied nonbinary teen Nex Benedict 'did not die as a result of trauma'". advocate.com. Advocate. Retrieved February 24, 2024.
- ^ "Nex Benedict's family will privately investigate bullied non-binary student's death after fight". independent.co.uk. The Independent. Retrieved February 24, 2024.
- ^ a b Shuttleworth, Catherine (February 20, 2024). "Thousands raised for non-binary teenager beaten to death at school". indy100. Archived from the original on February 22, 2024. Retrieved February 21, 2024.
- ^ "Owasso Public Schools addresses school safety measures". FOX23 News. February 16, 2024. Archived from the original on February 20, 2024. Retrieved February 21, 2024.
- ^ Villarreal, Daniel (February 20, 2024). "Teen beaten to death in a school bathroom bullying attack. The school didn't call an ambulance". LGBTQ Nation. Archived from the original on February 20, 2024. Retrieved February 21, 2024.
- ^ "Response to Death of Nex Benedict From Bridge v. Oklahoma State Board of Education Legal Team". American Civil Liberties Union. February 20, 2024. Archived from the original on February 22, 2024. Retrieved February 21, 2024.
- ^ a b Monteil, Abby (February 20, 2024). "Nonbinary Teen Nex Benedict Dies After Being Attacked By Peers in a School Bathroom". Them. Archived from the original on February 20, 2024. Retrieved February 21, 2024.
- ^ Hennessy-Fiske, Molly (February 21, 2024). "Soul-searching and recriminations after teen's death in Oklahoma". Washington Post. Archived from the original on February 21, 2024. Retrieved February 21, 2024.
- ^ "Torres calls for federal investigation into Nex Benedict's death". thehill.com. The Hill. Retrieved February 24, 2024.
- ^ "Kamala Harris 'stands with' LGBTQ youth following death of non-binary teen Nex Benedict". thepinknews.com. PinkNews. Retrieved February 24, 2024.
- ^ Guthrie, Lee (February 23, 2024). "Senator calls LGBTQ+ people 'filth,' says most don't want them here". Tahlequah Daily Press. Retrieved February 24, 2024.