Anti-Bullying Signs Raised After Student Falls to Death at LA High School - Newsweek

Signs condemning bullying were held up during a vigil at Benjamin Franklin High School in Highland Park, Los Angeles, on Thursday, one day after a student died after falling from a four-story building.

Classmates paid tribute to the student, identified as 17-year-old Xavier Nungaray, with one commenting: "I just miss him so much."

Nungaray’s stepmother told CBS LA he had been bullied throughout high school but was "scared" to speak up. Police have said there was "no evidence of foul play," but that they were aware of videos circulating online purporting to show an altercation that preceded the fall. The investigation is still ongoing.

Newsweek contacted Benjamin Franklin High School for comment on Friday via telephone and email outside of regular office hours.

The Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) said a male student, identified by his family as Nungaray, died on Wednesday after falling from a balcony on the fourth floor at Benjamin Franklin High School.

"On September 30, 2026, around 1 p.m., Officers responded to the 800 block of North Avenue 54, regarding the death of a male juvenile. Los Angeles Fire Department personnel responded and transported the juvenile to a local hospital, where he was later pronounced deceased," Lieutenant Elpidio Orozco of the LAPD said in a statement provided to Newsweek.

"The incident is currently being investigated as a death investigation and the investigation is ongoing. No further information is available."

Two videos purportedly related to the incident have been posted on social media. Newsweek has seen the videos but could not authenticate them.

In the first clip, it appears one male student punches another in a classroom, while an adult attempts to calm him down. The punched student then runs out of the room while someone shouts "run n***** run."

The second appears to show a person jumping off a balcony, as others scream. The video is unclear, meaning that it is not possible to confirm the individual's identity. It is also unclear whether the two clips are at all related.

Wendy Carrillo, a former California State Assembly member whose district included Highland Park, urged members of public not to share the videos.

In a statement sent to parents via the police immediately after the incident, Benjamin Franklin High School Principal Marine Davtyan said: "The safety and well-being of our students and staff continues to be our top priority. A medical emergency has required our school to go into a ‘lockdown’. A ‘lockdown’ means that all gates and doors in the entire school are locked.

"The campus will remain on ‘lockdown’ until law enforcement gives the ‘all clear’ to reopen the campus. All procedures are being implemented according to District policy. In addition, our staff is well trained and regularly reviews safety procedures. We will continue to keep you informed throughout this process. We thank you in advance for your cooperation and patience."

Speaking to CBS LA, Nungaray’s stepmother said he suffered bullying throughout high school, but was afraid to report it because "he was scared he was going to end up getting punished instead of the bully. So yes he was bullied."

Family members also said the incident was related to the videos shared on social media of an altercation between two students in a classroom, which they say took place shortly before Nungaray fell to his death.

A family member also told CBS LA she was "very upset" that the school had decided to hold classes on Thursday one day after the death.

"The District crisis team has been in place at the school, providing grief counseling and other mental health support 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 through the coming days," a Los Angeles Unified School District spokesperson told Newsweek.

A vigil for Nungaray took place at Benjamin Franklin High School on Thursday with students and community members placing flowers and candles at the school’s entrance, along with written messages.

Through tears one student told CBS LA: "It just hurts to see him to like that man. I really love him and I miss him so much and it’s just hard man."

Another said: "There was really nobody in all of my classes today. It’s really hard coming back to something like this."

Speaking to NBC Los Angeles, the parent of one child, whose daughter knew Xavier, said: "You think that being at school, they're safe. She told me he was a really nice kid. Very quiet."

At the vigil, members of Nungaray’s family held up signs reading "STOP THE HATE—END BULLYING" AND "SEE SOMETHING, SAY SOMETHING!"

A spokesperson for the Los Angeles Unified School District told Newsweek: "Our hearts 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."

A fundraiser was created on behalf of Lilia Nungaray on GoFundMe to help them "honor their beloved son."

The money will "cover funeral services and ease some of the financial burden during this incredibly difficult time" on the family.

It states: "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. 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."

As of early Friday morning, the fundraiser had secured $108,855 out of an $180,000 target.

In 2023, nearly a fifth of high school students in the United States reported being bullied, an increase of 4 percentage points from 2021, according to a study by the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Over the same period, the proportion of students who said they missed school due to safety concerns increased from 9 percent to 13 percent.

It concluded, "female students; lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer/questioning (LGBTQ+) students; and students from marginalized racial and ethnic groups" are "especially impacted."

Update, 10/02/26 11:39 a.m. ET: this story was updated with comment from the Los Angeles Unified School District.

If you or someone you know is considering suicide, contact the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline by dialing 988, text "988” to the Crisis Text Line at 741741 or go to 988lifeline.org.