Las Vegas police have arrested eight teens between the ages 13 and 17 in connection with the brutal beating that left a 17-year-old dead, authorities announced Tuesday at a news conference.
The fight occurred on November 1 in an alley one block east of Rancho High School after classes let out. Johansson stated that the fight was prearranged after a pair of wireless headphones and a vape pen were stolen from the victim’s friend earlier in the week.
Jonathan Lewis Sr., the father, claimed that his son was standing up for a ‘smaller friend’ who had something stolen by the group and was thrown into a trash can.
The video, which Johansson called “graphic” and “void of humanity,” shows a group of about a dozen students kicking Lewis, as he lies curled on the pavement.
Johansson said that a “concerned citizen” found the 17-year-old unresponsive in the alley, attended to him, and then carried him back to the school. He was then taken to University Medical Center in critical condition and later placed on life support.
Lewis succumbed to his injuries and passed away Tuesday after doctors made several attempts to save his life.
According to the autopsy report conducted by the Clark County coroner on Monday, Lewis’ cause of death was ruled as homicide by blunt force trauma.
The eight teens were booked into Clark County Juvenile Hall on charges of murder Tuesday morning. Police are currently trying to identify the other two students involved.
Authorities have not released the names of the suspects because they are juveniles. Johansson stated that he and his team are working with the local district attorney’s office to determine if they will be charged with murder as adults.
While there has been some speculation on social media, police suggested there is currently no evidence to suggest that it was a hate crime.
If #JonathanLewis was a black student beaten to death by 15 white students, it would be called RACIST and a #HateCrime and the entire country would be trying to deal with the RIOTING and burning of our cities. Hopefully, all of these hoodlums will be prosecuted for the murder…
— 🇺🇸LarryAtlantic🦅 (@atlantic4larry) November 15, 2023
When are they going to call it an anti/white hate crime?
— JD Sharp (@imjdsharp) November 15, 2023
A GoFundMe account has been created by the family, which has already received over $116,000.
We are learning more about the story of a white high schooler who was just brutally beaten to death by 15 black students ⚠️
🚨The group of black teens stole something from one of Johnathan’s smaller friends, then threw the small boy in a trash can!
Johnathan confronted them… pic.twitter.com/frl9J9yEgM
— Matt Wallace (@MattWallace888) November 12, 2023
