Teen Beaten to Death in a School Bathroom Bullying Attack. The School Didn’t Call an Ambulance

This blog originally appeared at LGBTQ NATION.

The nonbinary teenager was fatally attacked in a school that had been singled out by online hate campaigners.

Nex Benedict, a 16-year-old sophomore who identified as nonbinary and Native American, reportedly suffered a fatal beating on February 7th at Owasso High School in Oklahoma. Three older female students were allegedly responsible for the attack in the school’s bathroom. Despite the severity of Benedict’s injuries, the school neglected to call for an ambulance and only notified the police after Benedict was admitted to the hospital. Tragically, Benedict succumbed to their injuries the following day.

Online commentators are holding Oklahoma’s top education official, Ryan Walters, accountable for Benedict’s death. Walters has been accused of promoting inflammatory anti-LGBTQ+ rhetoric during his tenure. Additionally, Walters recently appointed Chaya Raichik, known as Libs of TikTok on social media and identified as an anti-LGBTQ+ hate activist, to a state school book-banning committee. Raichik had previously targeted the Owasso school district for employing a pro-LGBTQ+ teacher who was subsequently terminated.

“I know at one point, one of the girls was pretty much repeatedly beating [Benedict’s] head across the floor,” a person who identified herself as the friend of Benedict’s mother told KRJH. Even though a teacher eventually walked into the bathroom to stop the fight, the friend added, “She couldn’t walk to the nurses’ station on her own, and staff didn’t call the ambulance, which amazes me.”

Although Benedict was discharged from the hospital on the same day as the attack, they returned the following day and tragically passed away while hospitalized due to complications from brain trauma, as reported by a friend. Both the school and the Owasso Police Department have declined to comment as the investigation into the teen’s death remains ongoing.

In a letter addressed to parents, Owasso Public Schools announced several measures in response to the incident. These include the augmentation of security personnel, updates to safety drills and disciplinary policies, enhanced hall supervision, and the provision of additional student resources such as on-campus counselors for those distressed by the tragedy.

A GoFundMe campaign was initiated to cover expenses related to Benedict’s death, amassing $27,836 before ceasing further donations. A memorial service was held at Mowery Funeral Service Chapel on February 15th. Local media outlets covering the story have repeatedly misgendered and used Benedict’s deadname.

Benedict, as described by their mother, had a deep affection for animals, cherished their cat named Zeus, took pleasure in cooking, and enjoyed inventing their own recipes. They excelled academically, maintaining straight-A grades. Additionally, Benedict had an affinity for creative arts, particularly drawing, and found joy in playing video games like Ark and Minecraft, as noted by PGH Lesbian Correspondents. Their love for rock music was matched by their unfailing kindness and their persistent search for the best in people. They were also a citizen of the Cherokee Nation, as highlighted in a memorializing post by the state LGBTQ+ organization Freedom Oklahoma.

Freedom Oklahoma expressed concerns about the escalating anti-2SLGBTQ+ sentiments faced by young community members, attributing them to state laws and associated rhetoric, as well as to the actions and words of elected officials. They also pointed to the amplification of harmful voices like Chaya Raichik’s, whose platform encourages threats against Oklahoma youth.

In a heartfelt tribute, PGH Lesbian Correspondents honored Benedict’s memory, acknowledging the challenges they endured and lamenting the lack of support they received. They wished for Benedict a life filled with longevity, health, and happiness, free from fear and discrimination. They hoped for peace and justice for Benedict, emphasizing the importance of recognizing and affirming their true identity. They concluded with the sentiment that Benedict’s memory should inspire positive change.

In January, Ryan Walters, the right-wing superintendent of the Oklahoma State Department of Education (OSDE), appointed Raichik to serve on the OSDE’s Library Media Advisory Committee. This committee holds the responsibility of determining the reading materials permitted for state public school students. However, despite lacking residency in the state and any experience in the field of education, Raichik received this appointment.

During 2022, Raichik directed attention towards a pro-LGBTQ+ teacher in Owasso who offered support to queer students. As reported by Daily Kos, Raichik’s post targeting the teacher led to condemnation and harassment, ultimately resulting in the teacher’s resignation. Raichik subsequently removed the post, though the reasons for this action remain undisclosed.

Raichik’s social media posts, which falsely accused a principal at Western Heights Public Schools of being a drag performer and labeled various Oklahoma schools’ library books as “pornographic,” led to bomb threats against these institutions. In August 2023, Walters faced criticism for sharing a video from Raichik that resulted in bomb threats against Ellen Ochoa Elementary School in Tulsa.

Raichik has gained nationwide notoriety for her targeting of LGBTQ+ educators and allies, resulting in numerous bomb and death threats against schools, teachers, students, and children’s hospitals, including incidents involving two Oklahoma schools. She is anticipated to further Walters’ campaign against LGBTQ+-inclusive literature in public schools.

Walters, who advocates for banning LGBTQ+ books while advocating for the inclusion of the Bible in public school history classes, has previously propagated the transphobic falsehood about schools providing litterboxes for students identifying as cats. He has also labeled teachers’ unions as “terrorist organizations” and attempted to enforce regulations banning LGBTQ+ literature and transgender bathroom access in schools, actions deemed illegal. Walters has participated in events hosted by Moms for Liberty, a right-wing anti-LGBTQ+ “parent’s rights” group labeled as an extremist hate group by the Southern Poverty Law Center.