Internet slams parents of Las Vegas teens accused of killing Jonathan Lewis as four are charged with second-degree murder
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA: Four teenagers who appeared in front of a Clark County District Court judge on November 21 in connection to the death of their classmate Jonathan Lewis Jr, 17, have been charged with second-degree murder, reported the New York Post.
Dontral Beaver, 16, Gianni Robinson, 17, Damien Hernandez, 17, and Treavion Randolph, 16, are all being tried as adults. Four other students who were also arrested for the death of Lewis on November 7 were all under 16 and are to remain in the juvenile court system.
District Attorney Steve Wolfson stated that the four named accused were also charged with felony conspiracy to commit battery with substantial bodily harm. They were transferred back to the juvenile detention center afterward, where they were detained without bail.
How did Jonathan Lewis die?
On November 1, Lewis got into a fight with an unnamed peer over a set of wireless headphones and possibly a vape pen, and was badly beaten up by a group. He died from blunt force trauma at a hospital six days later.
While Lewis’ family claimed that he was defending a friend whom the other students were bullying, Homicide Lt Jason Johansson stated in a press conference that the mentioned items were allegedly stolen from Lewis or one of his friends, leading to the tragic incident.
Video of the fight went viral online
According to the Post, Las Vegas Metropolitan Police and the FBI identified at least 10 suspects from the video.
Authorities have asked for help from the public to identify two more teenagers, whose images captured from the video have been released.
DA Wolfson announced the arrest of another teenager on November 21 but did not provide any further details. He noted that the four accused who appeared in court were facing second-degree murder charges because there were no signs of premeditation before the attack.
"I reviewed all of the evidence yesterday with my colleagues, with Metropolitan Police Department detectives, and we didn’t feel that there was that advanced premeditation,” he said.
He later added that it was a “sad” day for all families involved.
“That family was shattered, and all the other families and their lives have been shattered as well. But at the end of the day, I believe there has to be consequences,” said Wolfson.
Netizens slam parents of accused teens
The incident has left the internet shaken, and users on X demanded that the parents of the accused be held responsible as well.
"Their parents should be charged. There is no excuse for raising a young man that would be among that group that stomped that kid to death," tweeted a user.
Their parents should be charged. There is no excuse for raising a young man that would be among that group that stomped that kid to death.
— Good Trouble (@say_no_to_eth) November 22, 2023
"Follow the trail backwards and you’ll find uninvolved parents," said another.
Follow the trail backwards and you’ll find uninvolved parents.
— Proud Texan (@jim_lewis1018) November 22, 2023
"Where are their “proud parents”? They need to be locked up too !" exclaimed a third.
Where are their “proud parents”? They need to be locked up too !
— KMEmonda (@KMEmonda) November 22, 2023
"They ended up exactly where their parents led them. Our choices in life have consequences on others. Remember that when you raise your child if you have children," someone warned.
They ended up exactly where their parents led them. Our choices in life have consequences on others. Remember that when you raise your child if you have children.
— Daily Democrat (@LibbysLoveMe) November 22, 2023
"Go get the parents!" echoed another.