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HIGHLAND PARK, LOS ANGELES () — A student died at Benjamin Franklin High School in Highland Park on Wednesday, prompting a lockdown that lasted nearly three hours as police launched an investigation.
The incident was reported shortly after 1 p.m. after witnesses said a student fell to his death and landed in the high school’s quad. A white tent was set up on school’s campus, located in the 800 block of North Avenue 54.
Student Welly Eng said the student fell from the fourth floor of the school building. Another student, Andrew Rivera, described hearing a “big thump” and later learned the school had been placed on lockdown.
The Los Angeles School Police Department described the situation as a “medical emergency,” and students remained under lockdown for nearly three hours while the investigation continued.
Jessica Gomez, a parent, said she was shaken after hearing what had happened.
“I heard a kid fell off the fourth floor. My heart was racing. I had to call my children to see if they were OK because no parent wants to have that phone call saying that your son or daughter unfortunately died,” Gomez said.
Students interviewed by Eyewitness News said the teen fell from a balcony after a dispute with another student.
“The altercation occurred with the student and another student, which after that happened the student ran, of course, and then fell,” Eng said.
Gomez urged parents to address bullying behavior.
“If you know your kid is bullying somebody, even if it’s as a joke, stop them there before it gets worse,” she said.
By Wednesday evening, a growing memorial had formed outside the gates of Benjamin Franklin High School as students remembered their classmate.
The school will remain open Thursday. Grief counselors will be available.
Police have not released the name of the student who died or further details about the incident.
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