– Communities gather in remembrance of nonbinary Oklahoma teen who passed away following school bathroom altercation
– Vigils held for nonbinary Oklahoma teen who lost their life after school restroom altercation.

Accident – Death – Obituary News :

Teenager’s Death Sparks Nationwide Vigils

EDMOND, Okla. (AP) — Vigils were held across the country over the weekend to mourn the tragic loss of Nex Benedict, a 16-year-old nonbinary student from Oklahoma who passed away following a confrontation at Owasso High School.

On Friday and Saturday, communities gathered in cities such as Boston, Minneapolis, and Huntington Beach, California, to honour Benedict’s memory. The teenager, who used they/them pronouns, had been involved in an altercation with three girls in a school bathroom, where they were reportedly targeted for bullying.

Community Support

At the vigil in Huntington Beach, Kanan Durham, executive director of Pride at the Pier, expressed the need for continued support for the LGBTQ+ community. Durham highlighted the importance of honouring Benedict’s legacy beyond just a single event.

In Tahlequah, Oklahoma, the president of TahlEquality acknowledged the trauma of Benedict’s passing and arranged for licensed therapists to be present at the vigil. Sanj Cooper emphasised the challenges faced by the LGBT+ community in Oklahoma and the importance of speaking out against discrimination.

Unity and Resilience

More than two dozen people gathered at All Saints Episcopal Church in McAlester for a vigil organised by the McAlester Rainbow Connection. Matt Blancett, who led the event, reflected on the significance of standing together in the wake of tragedy, referencing the murder of transgender man Dustin Parker in 2020.

During this difficult time, All Saints Priest Janie Koch emphasised the importance of reaching out for support and looking out for one another as emotions run high.

Investigation Update

Following Benedict’s passing, their mother, Sue Benedict, expressed a desire to file charges related to the altercation. However, the responding officer explained that the incident would likely be viewed as a mutual fight by the court.

Police conducted a search warrant at Owasso High School, collecting evidence from the bathroom where the altercation took place. While initial findings suggested a potential felony murder investigation, authorities have since clarified that Benedict’s death was not directly linked to the fight.

Continued Investigation

As the investigation continues, authorities await the results of toxicology reports and further autopsy findings to determine the exact cause of Benedict’s tragic passing.

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– communities hold vigils for nonbinary oklahoma teen who died after school bathroom fight
– vigils for nonbinary oklahoma teen who died after school bathroom fight in communities.