Xavier Nungaray-Martinez, a 17-year-old student at Benjamin Franklin High School, died by suicide after a classmate attacked him, resulting in him falling from a fourth-floor railing, as reported by officials.
On September 30, his death was attributed to multiple blunt traumatic injuries to his head and torso, as determined by the Los Angeles County Medical Examiner.
The medical examiner’s conclusion that the manner of death was suicide introduces a new angle to the LAPD’s investigation into the events leading up to his tragic end.
Disturbing footage from inside the classroom captured the moments before his fall, showing Nungaray-Martinez being verbally harassed and struck multiple times by another student while an elderly teacher attempted to intervene.
The attacker, who had a black backpack, continued the assault until Nungaray-Martinez fell to the floor, at which point the assailant could be heard taunting him, urging him to “run.”
After regaining his footing, Nungaray-Martinez fled into an outdoor hallway with the other student pursuing him. Shortly afterward, he jumped over the fourth-floor railing.
His family has reported that Nungaray-Martinez faced bullying throughout his time in high school. They described him as a caring, quiet teen who often felt uncomfortable voicing his struggles.
