Signs condemning bullying were held up during a vigil at Benjamin Franklin High School in Highland Park, Los Angeles, on Thursday, one day after a student died after falling from a four-story building. Classmates paid tribute to the student, identified as 17-year-old Xavier Nungaray, with one commenting: “I just miss him so much.” Nungaray’s stepmother told CBS LA he had been bullied throughout high school but was “scared” to speak up. Police have said there was "no evidence of foul play," but that they were aware of videos circulating online purporting to show an altercation that preceded the fall.
The investigation is still ongoing. Newsweek contacted Benjamin Franklin High School for comment on Friday via telephone and email outside of regular office hours. The Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) said a male student, identified by his family as Nungaray, died on Wednesday after falling from a balcony on the fourth floor at Benjamin Franklin High School.
"On September 30, 2026, around 1:00 p.m., Officers responded to the 800 block of North Avenue 54, regarding the death of a male juvenile. Los Angeles Fire Department personnel responded and transported the juvenile to a local hospital, where he was later pronounced deceased," Lieutenant Elpidio Orozco of the LAPD said in a statement provided to Newsweek. "The incident is currently being investigated as a death investigation and the investigation is ongoing.
No further information is available." Two videos purportedly related to the incident have been posted on social media. Newsweek has seen the videos but could not authenticate them. In the first clip, it appears one male student punches another in a classroom, while an adult attempts to calm him down.
The punched student then runs out of the room while someone shouts "run n***** run." The second appears to show a person jumping off a balcony, as others scream. The video is unclear meaning it is not possible to confirm the individual's identity. It is also unclear whether the two clips are at all related.
Wendy Carrillo, a former California state assembly member whose district included Highland Park, urged members of public not to share the videos. In a statement sent to parents via the police immediately after the incident, Benjamin Franklin High School Principal Marine Davtyan said: “The safety and wellbeing of our students and staff continues to be our top priority. A medical emergency has required our school to go into a ‘lockdown’.
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