Exclusive | Bullied high schoolers fatal railing jump sparks LAPD probe, possible arrests
The teenager who allegedly punched fellow high school student Xavier Nungarary before Nungarary threw himself over a campus balcony to his death could face arrest, as detectives with the Los Angeles Police Department conduct interviews and comb the case for clues.Nungarary, 17, tragically jumped to his death from a fourth-floor platform at Benjamin Franklin High School in the Highland Park neighborhood of LA Wednesday, sparking an intense police investigation of the incident, an LAPD source said.Detectives with the LAPD’s Northeast Division are now interviewing many witnesses who were present at the horrifying moment that Nungarary jumped from the Franklin balcony, the source said, including students and administrators.Police are also speaking to parents about what could have led to the alleged conflict that reportedly occurred before Nungarary’s death.They’re also seeking video of the incident and reviewing footage they’ve already found.“Detectives are conducting a thorough investigation,” said the LAPD source who discussed the case with The California Post on the condition of anonymity.
The investigation could lead to arrests, the source added.Bystanders captured video showing Nungaray withstanding punches from a suspected bully before darting out of a classroom and jumping over a fourth-floor railing onto the concrete below.Nungaray’s family released heartbreaking pictures of the teen as they worked to raise funds to ease some of their financial burden and to cover his funeral expenses.“Losing a child is an unimaginable pain, and this family is now facing the emotional weight of grief while also trying to make arrangements to honor his life,” the family wrote.“Lilia shared that their son was a beautiful, caring, and loving boy who meant so much to the people around him.
His passing has left a deep void in the hearts of those who knew and loved him.”Nungarary was a senior at the Highland Park high school at the time of his death.Offic...