Las Vegas authorities announced Tuesday the arrests of eight teenagers who will be facing murder charges for allegedly beating to death 17-year-old high school student Jonathan Lewis Jr.
All eight suspects are between the ages of 13 and 17, with their names not being immediately released due to their age. (RELATED: Man Accused Of Forcing A Girl Under 10 To Have Sex With Him, Other Children)
“The video that’s out there and the videos that we have mentioned throughout this investigation and that you’ve seen reported in the media – they’re extremely disturbing,” Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department (LVMPD) Undersheriff Andrew Walsh stated during a press conference.
“This should be a reminder to all of us to have those difficult conversations with our children and remind them that their actions have consequences. Their actions have lasting consequences. Their actions have life-altering consequences.”
Lewis was recorded being beaten up near Rancho High School by a group of teens on Nov.1 and was taken off life support six days later, dying from complications of multiple blunt force injuries, according to Fox News. The fight had allegedly started after Lewis reportedly attempted to help out a friend who had stolen something from the group of teens. (RELATED: Hooker Almost Beats Old Man To Death In Caesars Palace Hotel Room: Cops)
JUST IN: 8 teens have been arrested for the murder of Las Vegas teen Jonathan Lewis who was jumped & beaten to death.
The teens range in age from 13 years old to 17.
According to investigators, the fight broke out over headphones which were reportedly stolen from one of Lewis’… pic.twitter.com/g8dZRezdCe
— Collin Rugg (@CollinRugg) November 15, 2023
Authorities stated during the press conference that they believe ten people were involved in the crime and are now asking for the public’s help in identifying two more people suspected to be involved.
Following Lewis’ attack, his father, Jonathan Lewis Sr., spoke out expressing his “disgust and disappointment” at the violent attack. Lewis Sr. reportedly commented on the arrests of the eight teens relieved at the authority’s progress, according to the Las Vegas Review-Journal.
“I’m calling on the youth to use their collective voice to demand change, create a deep sense of community, and do something with your power instead of enslaving yourselves to anger, rage, and cowardly violence,” Lewis Sr. stated in a text, according to the Las Vegas Review-Journal.