A Los Angeles high school student has died after apparently jumping from the fourth floor of his campus building following a classroom fight captured on video.
The incident occurred at Benjamin Franklin High School in Highland Park, California, at about 1 p.m. Wednesday, as students were leaving for lunch.
The Los Angeles Police Department has not identified the student, but confirmed that he was 18 years old.
The video shows two students fighting inside a classroom as a teacher tried to intervene and separate them.
The student who later fell was knocked to the floor before running out of the classroom. As he stood up, his attacker allegedly directed slurs at him, according to the New York Post, which cited the footage.
Witnesses told FOX 11 NEWS that the injured student ran from the classroom and climbed over a fourth-floor railing.
Students reportedly heard a loud “thump” before staff directed them back into their classrooms and away from the railing.
“I hear stuff rumbling, falling, and I look up and I see kids fighting. I see a kid getting hurt pretty bad… [he] throws himself over the fourth floor,” a classmate told the outlet.
A Los Angeles high school student died after apparently jumping from the fourth floor of the Benjamin Franklin High School campus following a classroom fight captured on video.
Video footage shows two students fighting inside a classroom as a teacher attempted to break up the confrontation before the fatal fall.
“You can see people crying, you can see people so emotional, it’s like heartbreaking to see these people be like this,” she said.
Benjamin Franklin High School Principal Marine Davtyan 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.”
Authorities have opened a death investigation to establish what led to the fall. Police said they do not believe foul play was involved.
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The incident also left students questioning whether the school was safe.
“Kind of shaken up because this is a school I’m supposed to be safe at. With this happening, it’s like, what are they going to do next to prevent it from happening again,” the student told KTLA
The campus was placed on lockdown as authorities responded to a report of a “medical emergency” and examined the scene.
Concerned parents waited outside for hours, with students not released from the school until about 4 p.m.
“I’m a parent. I love my kids. I know the parents love their child. Nobody expects to take their kid to school and not come back to pick them up and take them home. That’s heartbreaking,” Cynthia Solorzano, the parent of a high school student, told the outlet.
A memorial has since been created outside the school, where classmates, relatives and friends left flowers and candles in remembrance.
A death investigation has been opened to determine the events leading up to the fall as LAPD reported no foul play was involved
Classmates, family and friends began placing flowers and candles in remembrance of the student in a growing memorial at the school.
‘We recognize that events such as this can affect students and staff in different ways. The well-being of our school community remains our top priority,’ Davtyan said in a statement.
‘School mental health professionals and support staff will be available throughout the day tomorrow to provide counselling, support, and a safe space for students who may wish to talk.’
The principal encouraged families to check in with their children and reach out for support when needed. She reassured that families could reach out to the school directly for help.
The Daily Mail has reached out to Benjamin Franklin High School, Davtyan and the Los Angeles Police Department for comment as the investigation is ongoing
If you or someone you know needs help, please call or text the confidential 24/7 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline in the US on 988. There is also an online chat available at 988lifeline.org.