Eight high school students in Las Vegas between the ages of 13 and 17 have been arrested on suspicion of murder in the fatal beating of a 17-year-old classmate, authorities announced Tuesday at a news conference.
Las Vegas police homicide Lt. Jason Johansson said investigators were still working to identify two more students believed to have participated in the Nov. 1 fight that he said was over a pair of wireless headphones and a vape pen.
Johansson said the local FBI office assisted with the arrests Tuesday morning of the eight students. The two outstanding students will also face murder charges, he said.
Johansson said the 17-year-old victim, Jonathan Lewis Jr., remained hospitalized with severe "head trauma" and other injuries until his death about a week after the fight. The coroner's office in Las Vegas ruled the beating a homicide.
Las Vegas Undersheriff Andrew Walsh called a video of the attack, which has circulated on social media, "extremely disturbing."
Johansson said it was that video that allowed investigators, with the help of school officials and Clark County School District police, to identify the suspects.
Las Vegas Police Urging Community to Come Forward with Information on Violent Incident
Las Vegas Police Chief, John Walsh, is urging members of the community to come forward with any information regarding a violent incident that was captured on video and circulated on social media. Walsh stated, "If you or someone you know has seen this video and recognized any of the participants, please contact us immediately."
The suspects involved in the incident are juveniles, and their names have not been released by authorities. Walsh mentioned that they are currently working with the local district attorney's office to determine if the suspects will be charged as adults for the crime.
The altercation was prearranged after the victim's friend had their headphones and vape pen stolen. Las Vegas Police Detective, Mark Johansson, explained that the victim was not initially supposed to be involved in the fight but accompanied his friend to a nearby alleyway where the brawl was scheduled to take place after school hours.
Johansson described the attack, stating that the 10 students immediately swarmed the victim, pulling him to the ground and violently assaulting him with kicks, punches, and stomps. After the fight, a passerby discovered the victim badly beaten and unconscious in the alleyway and brought him back to the school campus, where emergency services were called.
