Warning: Distressing content
A 17-year-old boy in Las Vegas has died after being beaten while trying to defend his ‘smaller’ friend.
Jonathan Lewis has been described as having the ‘heart of a champion’ after he passed away on Tuesday (November 7), following the attack which took place on November 1.
Jonathan, a student of Rancho High School in Vegas, had been in the area near the school when one of his ‘smaller friends’ had something stolen by a group of 15 people, according to a GoFundMe page.
Disturbing footage from the attack showed Jonathan confronting one member of the group, before he was surrounded and beaten by them. The younger friend was also thrown into a trash can by the bullies.
Jonathan was discovered by police at about 2.05pm local time, with blood coming from a wound on his head.
Paramedics performed chest compressions on the teen before rushing him University Medical Center, where he was put on life support.
In another video, one of Jonathan’s friends could be seen rushing to help as the teen was attacked, only to receive a blow on the back of their own head.
The friend then attempted to retreat for their own safety, but they was chased by some members of the ground and punched again, prompting them to fall to the ground.
After several days on life support, Jonathan passed away at hospital.
On the GoFundMe page, Jonathan’s family describe the teen as a ‘kind, loving, gentle young man’ with ‘the brightest loving energy’.
An ‘aspiring artist’ and ‘devoted big brother’, Jonathan has also been remembered as someone who ‘loved community and caring for others’.
A foundation titled ‘Team Jonathan’ has also been created by the family.
The teen’s dad, also called Jonathan Lewis, told KLAS his son kept to himself and had been planning to move to Austin, Texas to live with him before the attack.
The elder Lewis is hopeful that the tragedy involving his son will spark a conversation about youth violence, claiming children ‘don’t even know what they’re doing half the time’.
The Las Vegas Metro Police Department’s homicide unit is now investigating the incident that led to Jonathan’s death.
At the time of writing (13 November), no arrests have been made in the case. However, Lewis claimed investigators have told the family that they plan to charge some of those involved in the attack with murder.
UNILAD has contacted the Las Vegas Metro Police Department for comment.
