Nex Benedict.Photo:Go Fund Me

Nex Benedict, a nonbinary student who died after a beating in school in Oklahoma

Go Fund Me

The death of nonbinary teenNex Benedictfollowing a school fight has been ruled a suicide, the Owasso Police Department shared in aFacebook announcement.

Benedict died on Feb. 8, one day after a fight at Owasso High School in Oklahoma. The 16-year-old high school sophomore, who used they/them pronouns, and their death has amplified the country’s growing increase of anti-LGBTQ+ violence and bullying.

Nex revealed that they threw water on a group of girls who were bullying them, which led to a physical altercation in which Nex said they “blacked out.”

The following day, the teenager died. At the time, the Owasso Police Department said that their death was“not a result of trauma.”The authorities said that the assessment was based on “preliminary information from the medical examiner’s office.”

Nex Benedict on Feb. 7, 2024 in Owasso, Okla.Owasso Police Department via AP

In this frame grab taken from body camera video provided by the Owasso, Okla., Police Department, an officer, hand at right, speaks to 16-year-old Nex Benedict

Owasso Police Department via AP

“Notwithstanding, the family is independently interviewing witnesses and collecting all available evidence,” the family said, per News on 6. “The Benedict Family calls on all school, local, state and national officials to join forces to determine why this happened, to hold those responsible to account and to ensure it never happens again.”

On Feb. 25, Owasso High School students walked out of their classrooms to honor Benedict and demonstrate their solidarity with the school’s LGBTQ+ community, according toABC News.A GoFundMein Nex’s memory was also launched.

Two weeks after Benedict’s death,multiple vigilswere held across the country to remember Benedict. Additionally, more than 350 advocacy groups and LGBTQ+ activists called for the immediateremoval of an Oklahoma state superintendent, Ryan Walters.

People attend a candlelight vigil for 16-year-old nonbinary student Nex Benedict on February 24, 2024 in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma.J Pat Carter/Getty

People attend a candlelight vigil for 16-year-old nonbinary student Nex Benedict on February 24, 2024 in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma

J Pat Carter/Getty

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Representatives from the Owasso Police Department, the Oklahoma Medical Examiner, and the attorney for the Benedict family did not immediately respond to PEOPLE’s request for more information on Wednesday.

source: people.com