A high school student in Los Angeles died after falling from a four-storey building following an “altercation” between students. Police and the fire department were called to Benjamin Franklin High School in Highland Park yesterday after reports of a student falling.
The student was taken to hospital, where he died of his injuries, the Los Angeles Police Department confirmed. The campus went into lockdown for hours after the tragedy. The name and age of the student have not been released.
Witnesses report fight before fall
Witnesses claimed the teenager fell after getting into an altercation with another student. A video obtained by local news station KTTV showed two students fighting, before one was chased and leapt over a railing.
The Los Angeles Unified School District said in a statement: “Out of respect for our community, and in accordance with privacy and confidentiality laws, we are unable to share additional information.”
School offers counselling support
The district added: “We recognise that events such as this can affect students and staff in different ways. The wellbeing of our school community remains our top priority.
“School mental health professionals and support staff will be available throughout the day… to provide counselling, support, and a safe space for students who may wish to talk.”
Police said: “The incident is currently being investigated as a death investigation, and the investigation is ongoing.”
