“For You, A Thousand Times Over…”
This is not just a statement; it’s the universal sentiment of true friendship!
What would you do for your friend?
The following case illustrates how pure a bond is that is not bounded by blood but by promises to be there for each other.
Jonathan Lewis, a 17-year-old student and an aspiring artist, was thrashed, punched, and stomped to death by 15 juvenile students aged between 13 and 17. The incident occurred in an alley behind Rancho High School in Las Vegas on November 1, 2023.
Lewis interjected when his friend, who was robbed by the gang, was about to be jumped by them. Instead, Lewis fought back and took the beating, which left him brain-dead on November 7, 2023.
Only eight have been arrested as of yet, and the lawmakers are contemplating whether they should be charged as adults.
What We Know About The Heroic Student Jonathan Lewis?
Jonathan Lewis, entering his senior year in Rancho High School, was an aspiring artist, according to his father, Jonathan Lewis Sr.
Per another KLAS report, the young teenager was living with his mother and sibling in Las Vegas and was later going to move in with his father. Lewis was planning to join the military, carrying on the legacy of his grandfather. Mr. Lewis also described his son as–
“Our son is a kind, loving, gentle young man who has the heart of a champion and the brightest loving energy that attracts people to him with love!”
The young boy fought twice for his life– once when 15 kids brutally beat him and the other time when he was put on life support at the hospital, where he was declared brain dead due to “blunt force trauma,” and fought for a week before breathing his last.
Why Was the Las Vegas Teen Beaten to Death?
The interrogation of the eight arrested students is still ongoing. Here is the full police statement after the preliminary investigation–
However, Lewis Sr. revealed that his son’s girlfriend has stated that the whole issue arose when the alleged students stole something from a boy. Some reports suggest that the stolen items are earphones and probably a marijuana vape pen.
Jonathan Lewis Sr. set up a GoFundMe page for his son when he was still hospitalized, just a day before he died. In the description, Mr. Lewis revealed–
“We have been given a statement from our son’s girlfriend that what occurred was that one of his smaller friends had something stolen by this group of 15, and they threw the small boy in the trash can, and our son confronted them, and he was attacked by them. He’s a courageous young man.”
Trigger warning: The following video contains gruesome violence.
Here’s what the witnesses had to say on what they saw–
In Summary: Jonathan Lewis’s friend was the main target of a group of 15 kids who also stole his stuff. This instigated a fight, where he was challenged behind the alleyway. However, Lewis got in the middle to save his friend, who was up against such a large number. And unfortunately, he sacrificed his life for his friend.
RACE FACTOR
Since the perpetrators are minors, the investigators have not revealed their identities. However, a few speculations have arisen that the group consisted of predominantly black kids. Meanwhile, Jonathan and his friend are white.
Juvenile violence has been rampant in recent months. The recent case on Halloween claimed the life of another young teenager, Preston Lord.
We pray for Jonathan Lewis and his family.
What is your take on this case? Do you believe that this was a hate crime and based on racism? Should the minors be charged as adults due to the nature of the crime?
Let us know in the comments section below.
