Abigail Shimniok

Nex Benedict, a 16-year-old student at Owasso High School, OK, died after sustaining severe head injuries during a fight in the girls bathroom.
Benedict and another transgender student at Owasso High School were attacked by three older girls on Feb 7. Benedict was knocked to the ground and hit their head on the floor, according to their mother.
The bullying started at the beginning of the 2023 school year, shortly after the passing of a bill by Governor Kevin Stitt that prohibits transgender girls and women from playing on female sports teams and prevents transgender children from using school bathrooms that correspond to their gender identity.
Sue Benedict, Nex’s grandmother, told The Independent that “she was called to the school that day to find Nex badly beaten with bruises over their face and eyes, and with scratches on the back of their head.”
All students involved in the altercation were given a health assessment by a registered nurse at the school. The nurse decided that no ambulance services were required for Benedict but recommended they visit a medical facility for further examination.
Sue Benedict stated she was furious that the school had failed to call an ambulance or the police. She said the school had informed her Nex was being suspended for two weeks. She took Nex to the Bailey Medical Center in Owasso, OK for treatment, where they spoke to a police school resource officer at the medical facility and were discharged.
On Feb. 8, Owasso Fire Department medics were dispatched to the Benedict’s home after Nex had collapsed in their living room. They were transported to the St. Francis Pediatric Emergency Room where they later died.
The Owasso Police Department issued a statement on Feb. 21 stating that a preliminary autopsy indicated Benedict did not die from trauma suffered during the altercation. However, an official cause of death has not yet been determined. Toxicology and other ancillary test results are still pending.
A search warrant in Tulsa County was filed on Feb 21. Penny Hamrick, an Owasso Police detective, wrote in the search warrant that “officers suspect foul play involved and need to initiate an in-depth investigation into the death.”
Hamrick stated police may search school records including photographs, documents and attendance data. Investigators plan to spend several days interviewing students and teachers.
On Feb. 24, the Owasso Police Department released 911 calls, body camera footage and surveillance footage from the incident at the school.
Surveillance video from the school on the day of the altercation showed students, including Benedict, entering the bathroom and walking through the halls with a staff member after the confrontation.
Body camera footage depicted a conversation between Benedict and the police officer at the hospital, where Benedict stated that the three girls had beaten them after Benedict had poured water on the girls for laughing at them and their friend. Nex said the girls had previously mocked Benedict and their friends “because of the way that we dress.”