A tragic incident unfolded at a New York school where a 12-year-old boy, who tragically choked to death, has been identified. Police are now exploring the possibility that his death is linked to a viral TikTok challenge.
Jacob Medina, a sixth-grade student at Sonia Sotomayor Community School in Yonkers, began choking in the hallway while on his way to class Wednesday morning. Officials suspect he may have been eating a doughnut at the time.
Adults nearby quickly rushed to his aid, according to Yonkers Public Schools Superintendent Anibal Soler Jr., who spoke with NBC New York about the incident.
“Jacob was with an adult when the choking signs appeared,” Soler Jr. explained.
“Immediately, that adult was present to assist, and within mere seconds—probably less than 10 seconds—additional adults arrived to attempt emergency life-saving measures for the young boy,” he continued.
However, they were unable to save him, and Jacob was pronounced dead after being rushed to St. Joseph’s hospital.
Investigators are now probing whether his death was tied to the popular “One Bite” social media trend, in which users attempt to eat as much as possible in a single bite.
“Anything about a TikTok challenge, anything about witness statements, we are going to investigate,” confirmed Yonkers Police Commissioner Christopher Sapienza.
School officials stressed that they are not certain the internet challenge was involved in the tragedy.
Investigators are looking into Jacob’s health history, including whether he had any allergies.
He started choking just before noon on the fourth-floor hallway and may have bought the doughnut at school as part of a fundraiser, sources told CBS News.
On Thursday evening, flowers and candles were placed in front of the school by family members in tribute to Jacob, who they remembered as a loving boy who cared about his cousins.
“This young man was a bright light in the building,” Soler Jr. said Thursday. “Everybody loved him, everybody knew him. He was energy, he was joy.”