A transgender student in Oklahoma, Nex Benedict, died after being assaulted in a school bathroom.
The 16-year-old was beaten by other students and suffered head injuries but the school did not call an ambulance, instead suspending Benedict.
“I was very open with my children to be who and what they thought was best,” grandmother Sue Benedict said. “They could talk to me about anything, as long as that respect goes both ways. A child needs to figure out who they are and what they want to be, and you cannot force it upon them.”
“Nex did not see themselves as male or female,” she said. “Nex saw themselves right down the middle. I was still learning about it, Nex was teaching me that.”
“On February 7th, 2024, at approximately 3:30 p.m., the Owasso Police Department was summoned to a local hospital in reference to a report of a student who had been involved in a physical altercation at the Owasso High School prior to the end of school that day. No report of the incident was made to the Owasso Police Department prior to the notification at the hospital. Information was taken by a School Resource Officer who responded to the hospital,” Owasso Police Department Chief Dan Yancey stated.
“On February 8th, 2024, the Owasso Police Department was made aware that the juvenile was rushed back to a hospital, where the student was pronounced dead. It is not known at this time if the death is related to the incident at the school or not. A thorough investigation is being conducted by Owasso Police Detectives who are currently awaiting an autopsy report and toxicology results.”
“We understand that people are concerned about this incident and we can assure everyone that this incident is being taken seriously and is being investigated thoroughly. Detectives are and will be interviewing school staff and students over the course of the next two weeks and in turn will be submitting our investigation to the Tulsa County District Attorney’s Office for prosecution review. A final cause and manner of death will be determined by the State Medical Examiner’s Office,” Yancey said.
Their death has sparked outrage over the culture of transphobia in the state, which recently banned transgender students from bathrooms matching their gender identity.
Critics argue officials like Superintendent Ryan Walters, an opponent of “gender theory” who appointed anti-LGBTQ figure Chaya Raichik to an education board, have enabled this environment through their rhetoric.
Raichik has attempted to deflect blame while Benedict’s grandmother remembers their grandchild’s “big, bright” spirit and dreams.
“Heartbroken to learn about the non-binary student who was beate[n] to death at their Owasso school. That same district was targeted by the self-described ‘stochastic terrorist’ who runs Libs of TikTok. Chaya Raichik now sits on OK’s library advisory board,” news anchor Wendy Suares wrote on X.
The incident has reignited debates around school safety and inclusion for transgender students.
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