Murder investigation opened into beating death of 17-year-old boy attacked by mob outside Las Vegas high school

The 17-year-old boy who was seen on video being severely beaten by over a dozen people near a Las Vegas High School has now died as a result of injuries stemming from the event. The Las Vegas Metro Police Department's homicide unit has since launched an investigation, and reportedly plans to issue murder charges. 

Jonathan Lewis, the father of the boy, described the incident as a savage crime as he spoke with 8 News Now on Thursday. The attack occurred on Wednesday, Nov. 1 at the 1900 block of Searles Avenue close to Rancho High School.

The Las Vegas Metro Police Department’s homicide unit has said it is now investigating the incident. No arrests have been made so far.

“Violence just begets more violence and these children don’t even know what they’re doing half the time,” Lewis said. 

“I hope there’s a way that can find forgiveness in their heart and find a way to be able to come to terms with what they’ve done,” he added.

“I just love my children with all my heart, and it’s just unimaginable that we could ever come to this point.”

Lewis said that although his son was on live support for several days, his injuries were too severe for him to survive.

“I think there’s just a failure of all of humanity to recognize that we need to be teaching our youth how to coexist,” he said.

Lewis said that the family has been informed that investigators are planning to charge several students who took part in the beating with murder.

When the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police officers first responded to the incident, it was reported as a battery call at Searles Ave. and 21st St. near Rancho High School on Nov. 1, reports KVVU-TV. Law enforcement came upon a student who was “battered and bleeding from the head.” He was promptly taken to a hospital in critical condition and later placed on life support before his passing. 

The boy's father said that his family denounces violence “as a means to sociological conflict,” and that they “believe being living, caring, respectful, kind, compassion, and caring are the great strength of community and emphasize that those are the values that the warriors of our family teach.”