On Nov. 1, after reportedly defending a smaller friend, Jonathan Lewis, 17, was attacked by a mob of 15 young people. He died 10 days later from his injuries.
Unsubstantiated reports indicate the beating occurred over a pair of wireless headphones.
In an interview with 8 News Now. Lewis’s father, Jonathan Lewis Sr., announced his son’s death on Nov. 7.
Lewis’ girlfriend reported that the mob of teens swarmed Lewis and repeatedly hit and kicked his head after he was down.
Local police reported finding Jonathan on the ground, bleeding from a gash in his head. Paramedics administered CPR before transporting the boy to the University Medical Center. He never regained consciousness.
Jonathan’s father told 8 News Now: “I just love my children with all my heart, and it’s just unimaginable that we could ever come to this point.”
The family’s fundraising page notes that “He’s a courageous young man.”
Three weeks after the vicious assault, the Las Vegas Police Department announced four of the alleged assailants had been arrested.
Arrested and charged as adults are Dontral Beaver, 16; Gianni Robinson, 17; Damien Hernandez, 17; and Treavion Randolph, 16. The youths appeared in the Clark County District Court on Tuesday.
The four will be back in court on December 14.
District Attorney Steve Wolfson announced the four juveniles are also charged with felony conspiracy to commit battery with substantial bodily harm.
According to the Las Vegas Review-Journal, the teens are being held at a juvenile detention center without bail.
Investigators report four others, all under age 16, have been arrested but have not yet been charged. Two other suspects have been identified but not yet arrested.
Police officials have commented on the brutality of the incident and, after reviewing the evidence, noted they “didn’t feel that there was that advanced premeditation.”
After Tuesday’s hearing, Wolfson said it was a “sad” day for all families involved. “[The Lewis] family was shattered, and all the other families and their lives have been shattered as well,” he said. “But at the end of the day, I believe there has to be consequences.”
Scroll down to leave a comment and share your thoughts.
