Following the death of nonbinary Oklahoma student Nex Benedict, police footage has been released in which they describe to the attack to the police.
The officer interviewing them, someone by the name of Caleb Thompsen, is heard saying during the interview that they could be held responsible for the attack because they “started it.”
During the recording that was over 20 minutes, Benedict’s mom, Sue Benedict, describes that her child had been complaining about being constantly bullied by three girls who would not leave them alone. When Benedict was asked if they had any pre-existing relationship with the girls, Benedict told the officer that “they didn’t even know their name.” Thompson however, describes that they are both victims and suspects, but Benedict is apparently more at fault for throwing water at one of the girls.
Benedict described that the girls had been picking on them and their friend over the way they dressed. Benedict described that these girls also made of the way they laughed, prompting Benedict to pour a plastic bottle of water over the girl’s head. Following this, the girls came at them.
Benedict, described that when they came at them, they were picked up by the feet and slammed into the ground. Their friend tried to jump in and defend them, but they just blacked out.
Seeing this footage weeks after the passing of Benedict is super distressing and heartbreaking knowing that things could have been handled a lot differently. If the school had contacted an ambulance immediately following Benedict’s injuries, they would be with us today with justice served. Unfortunately, in this environment, there is very little support for us in the queer community who beg for help against bullying every single day. Schools should be safe havens from bullying. However, many schools have continued to ignore bullying, which has led to serious mental health issues amongst queer students.
After Benedict collapsed in their home after being discharged the next day, he was taken to the emergency room where he was pronounced dead. However, the medical examiner’s office indicated that Benedict did not die as a result of trauma.
This left Benedict’s mother angry, calling the determination a big cover-up. She criticized the OPD for the police not revealing the autopsy results and only revealing partial information.
All of this brings a lot of hurt into the community as we yet again see injustice being done for an innocent person who had enough of the constant bullying for being just who they are.
A close friend of Nex has described them as a talented artist who would always get in trouble for laughing too loud, a humorous moment following a devastating loss.
