Student Dies After Fall From Fourth Story at Los Angeles High School

LOS ANGELES — A male student has died after falling from the fourth story of a building at Benjamin Franklin High School in Los Angeles, triggering a campus lockdown and a death investigation Wednesday afternoon.

The incident happened shortly before 1 p.m. at the school, located in the Highland Park neighborhood of Los Angeles. The Los Angeles Fire Department responded at approximately 12:59 p.m. and transported the injured student to a hospital, where he later died.

For readers in Lake County and the Chicago area, the Highland Park referenced in this story is the Highland Park neighborhood of Los Angeles, California. This incident did NOT occur at Highland Park High School in Highland Park, Illinois, and the Illinois school is not connected to the case.

The Los Angeles Police Department said officers responded to Benjamin Franklin High School to assist Los Angeles School Police following the incident. Authorities subsequently began a death investigation.

Police identified the student only as a boy. His name and age have not been publicly released.

Investigators have not determined publicly what caused the student to fall. LAPD said there is currently no evidence of foul play, but the circumstances surrounding his death remain under investigation.

Some students reportedly described a fight occurring at the school before the fall. However, authorities have not established publicly that an altercation caused the student’s fall or was connected to his death. Until investigators provide additional information, the circumstances leading up to the incident remain unclear.

The emergency prompted Benjamin Franklin High School to be placed on lockdown. During the lockdown, gates and doors throughout the campus were secured while law enforcement investigated.

In a message to families, school officials said the lockdown was prompted by a medical emergency and would remain in place until law enforcement gave the all-clear.

School officials emphasized that the safety and well-being of students and staff remained their priority and said campus safety procedures were being implemented in accordance with Los Angeles Unified School District policy.

By later Wednesday afternoon, students could be seen leaving the campus and being picked up by family members. The lockdown was subsequently lifted.

No additional injuries have been reported.

Benjamin Franklin High School is located on North Avenue 54 in the Highland Park neighborhood of Los Angeles, northeast of downtown.

The student’s death remains under investigation by Los Angeles authorities. Officials have not released additional information regarding what happened immediately before the fall.

Pulse Radio 96.1 will continue to follow the investigation as additional details become available.