Want to bookmark your favourite articles and stories to read or reference later? Start your Independent Membership today.
Already a member?
Log in
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it’s investigating the financials of Elon Musk’s pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, ‘The A Word’, which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Read more
A 17-year-old Los Angeles high school student died Wednesday after falling from a fourth-floor railing during the school day, following an apparent confrontation with another student.
The teen’s family identified him on social media as Xavier Nungarary, a senior at Benjamin Franklin High School in Highland Park. Xavier experienced bullying throughout high school but was “hesitant to speak up,” his stepmother told CBS LA, Newsweek reports.
Videos obtained by the New York Post appear to show the moments leading up to his death. In one video, Xavier is seen inside a classroom, seemingly in a confrontation that a teacher is trying to break up. Suddenly, another student punches Xavier in the face. Xavier then appears to flee the classroom.
“Run, n****, run,” the other student can be heard saying.
A second video, apparently recorded just seconds later, appears to show Xavier going over a fourth-floor railing.
.png)
Xavier Nungarary, 17, died Wednesday after falling from a fourth-floor railing at Franklin High School in Los Angeles, allegedly while trying to flee from a bully who had punched him (GoFundMe)
Xavier was taken to a local hospital after the fall, where he was later pronounced dead, according to the Los Angeles Police Department.
Officers responded to the school around 1 p.m. after receiving a report about the death of a male juvenile, an LAPD spokesperson told The Independent Friday. Police are investigating the incident as a death investigation.
Police said there was no evidence of foul play in Xavier’s death, but investigators are aware of the videos circulating online. Authorities have not publicly detailed what led to the confrontation or confirmed whether the apparent fight shown in the videos was connected to his death.
Xavier’s grieving family remembered him as a “beautiful, caring, and loving boy” on a GoFundMe page set up after his death to help with funeral costs and more.
“Losing a child is an unimaginable pain, and this family is now facing the emotional weight of grief while also trying to make arrangements to honor his life,” Xavier’s mother, Lilia Nungaray, wrote on the page. “Their son was a beautiful, caring, and loving boy who meant so much to the people around him. His passing has left a deep void in the hearts of those who knew and loved him.”
Franklin High School remained open Thursday, although some students stayed home. Eleo Rolon, a parent whose daughter knew Xavier, told NBC Los Angeles that her child was one of them.
“You think that being at school, they’re safe,” Rolon told the outlet. “She told me he was a really nice kid. Very quiet.”
The Los Angeles Unified School District said mental health professionals and grief counselors were available on campus to support students and staff following the death. Students also held a vigil Thursday for Xavier.
“Our hearts are with family, friends, classmates, teachers, and the community during this difficult time. Los Angeles Unified is working closely with Franklin High School, providing support and resources to students and staff who may be impacted by this loss,” an LAUSD spokesperson said in a statement to The Independent.
“The District crisis team has been in place at the school, providing grief counseling and other mental health support to students and staff. These include individual counseling sessions, classroom visits, and referrals to services for those with more intense needs. They will continue to be onsite through the coming days. Meanwhile, the circumstances surrounding the incident are under investigation by the Los Angeles Police Department,” the spokesperson concluded.