Boy who died in fall at Los Angeles high school reportedly fled fight

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A 17-year-old Los Angeles high school student died Wednesday after falling from a fourth-floor railing during the school day, following an apparent confrontation with another student.

The teen’s family identified him on social media as Xavier Nungarary, a senior at Benjamin Franklin High School in Highland Park. Xavier was bullied throughout high school, but he was “hesitant to speak out,” his stepmother told CBS LA: News week reports.

Videos obtained by New York Post appear to show the moments leading up to his death. In one video, Xavier is seen inside a classroom, apparently in a confrontation that a teacher is trying to break up. Suddenly, another student punches Xavier in the face. Xavier then appears to flee the class.

“Run, nigga, run,” the other student can be heard saying.

A second video, apparently recorded seconds later, appears to show Xavier climbing over a fourth-floor railing.

Xavier was transported to a local hospital after the fall, where he was later pronounced dead, according to the Los Angeles Police Department.

Officers arrived at the school around 1 p.m. after receiving a report of the death of a juvenile, an LAPD spokesperson said. The Independent Friday. Police are investigating the incident as part of a death investigation.

Police have said there is no evidence of foul play in Xavier’s death, but investigators are aware of videos circulating online. Authorities have not publicly detailed what led to the confrontation or confirmed whether the apparent scuffle shown in the videos was related to his death.

Xavier’s grieving family remembered him as a “beautiful, caring and loving boy” on a GoFundMe page set up after his death to help cover funeral costs and more.

“Losing a child is an unimaginable pain, and this family is now dealing with the emotional weight of grief while trying to make arrangements to honor his life,” Xavier’s mother, Lilia Nungaray, wrote on the page. “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.”

Franklin High School remained open Thursday, although some students stayed home. Eleo Rolon, a parent whose daughter knew Xavier, told NBC Los Angeles that her child was one of them.

“You think by being in school they are safe,” Rolon told the outlet. “She told me he was a really nice kid. Very calm.”

The Los Angeles Unified School District said mental health professionals and grief counselors were available on campus to support students and staff after the death. Students also held a vigil Thursday for Xavier.

“Our thoughts are with family, friends, classmates, teachers and the community during this difficult time. Los Angeles Unified is working closely with Franklin High School, providing support and resources to students and staff who may be impacted by this loss,” an LAUSD spokesperson said in a statement to The Independent.

“The district’s crisis team is in place at the school, providing grief counseling and other mental health supports to students and staff. These include individual counseling sessions, classroom visits, and referrals to services for those with more intense needs. They will continue to be on site in the coming days. Meanwhile, the circumstances surrounding the incident are under investigation by the Los Angeles Police Department,” the spokesperson concluded.