Full Breakdown
Tragic Fall at Benjamin Franklin High School Prompts Investigation and Community Grief
By Drooid · · How we work
Fatal Incident and Immediate Response
On Wednesday at about 1 p.m., a male student fell from the fourth-floor balcony of Benjamin Franklin High School in Highland Park, Los Angeles, and died after being transported to a hospital by the Los Angeles Fire Department. The Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) classified the event as a death investigation and placed the campus in lockdown for nearly three hours. Police have not released the student’s name or age, and a spokesperson noted “no evidence of foul play” in the preliminary findings. Video footage circulating online shows a brief classroom altercation in which one student punches another before the victim runs out of the room and goes over the railing.
Investigation Findings and Open Questions
LAPD Officer Rosario Cervantes confirmed that the department is leading the investigation but has not provided a motive. While the school has not disclosed the victim’s identity, community posts have identified the teen as Xavier Nungarary, 17, a name the LAPD has not confirmed. The exact trigger for the fall remains unclear; some witnesses describe a fight, while officials emphasize the lack of evidence indicating criminal intent.
School and District Actions
Principal Marine Davtyan said privacy laws limit the information that can be shared. The Los Angeles Unified School District announced counseling services would be available Thursday and that the campus would remain closed until law-enforcement gave the all-clear. Classes resumed on Thursday despite some students opting to stay home.
Community Reactions
Students and parents gathered a memorial of flowers and candles outside the school entrance. A vigil was held Thursday evening, with dozens of candles lit and a GoFundMe page for the family raising over $50,000. Witnesses described hearing a “big thump” and seeing the student run down a hallway before the fall. Parents expressed fear about sending their children back to school, and several students voiced concerns about bullying on campus.
Criticism and Concerns About Bullying
Several parents and students highlighted bullying as a possible factor. One parent, Eleo Rolon, said, “You think that being at school, they’re safe,” reflecting anxiety over campus safety. Student Chance Pedroza announced he would not attend school for the rest of the week, describing the incident as “too much.” Health-care worker Fanny Salazar stressed the need for ongoing dialogue to prevent similar tragedies.
Data & Statistics
- The fall occurred at approximately 1 p.m. on Wednesday.
- The lockdown lasted about three hours.
- The GoFundMe campaign surpassed $50,000 by Thursday afternoon.
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
Sources differ on the extent to which bullying contributed to the death. Video evidence shows a physical altercation, and some witnesses describe verbal harassment, including racial slurs. LAPD officials have stated there is “no evidence of foul play,” and the investigation has not confirmed bullying as a causal factor. The victim’s identity remains officially undisclosed, creating uncertainty about the exact circumstances.