The family of 17-year-old Johnathan Lewis is one step closer to justice after Las Vegas police arrested eight teens in connection with his death. Lewis died on November 7, after a horrifying after-school beating less than a week earlier. The attack allegedly revolved around stolen goods.
Las Vegas Metropolitan Police announced the arrest of the juveniles in a Tuesday press conference. They are still looking for two unidentified suspects and pleading with the public to help find them.
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Video of the fight went viral in the days after the alleged killing.
During the news conference, Assistant Sheriff Andrew Walsh said that the video of the incident circulating on social media is, "extremely disturbing, and 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."
All eight teens now face murder charges, Walsh added.
The suspects reportedly attended school with Lewis.
During the press conference, Las Vegas Homicide Lt. Jason Johansson said the incident took place on November 1, right after school let out. Johansson explained that the fight allegedly broke out because of stolen headphones or a stolen vape pen. It reportedly began between Lewis and a single student, but quickly became a brawl.
Per police, the group eventually disbanded and left Lewis unconscious in an alley. A passerby found Lewis and returned him to Rancho High School, where officials called 911.
EMS transported Lewis to University Medical Center.
Johansson reported that medical professionals determined early on that Lewis' injuries were severe and he likely wouldn't survive. He said that when police understood the extent of the injuries, the homicide division got involved in the case. Johansson said he would not share the video but that it is horrifying and "very void of humanity."
The video reportedly shows at least 10 suspects punching, beating, and stomping Lewis continually, until he was near death. Johansson said that police do not have evidence the crime stemmed from a racial slur, despite rumors in the public that the beating was part of a hate crime.
Lewis' family is trying to understand how this horrific crime happened.
His father, also named Johnathan Lewis, spoke to KLAS about the heartbreaking loss of his son. He explained that he lives in Texas, and his son was living in Las Vegas with his mother. He said his heart is broken, and that he wants to forgive the teens who killed his son, but he is suffering from grief.
"I hope there's a way that can find forgiveness in their heart and find a way to be able to come to terms with what they've done. I just love my children with all my heart, and it's just unimaginable that we could ever come to this point," the father told KLAS. He added that he feels society is failing the youth of today.
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The family created a GoFundMe in the 17-year-old's honor.
The fundraiser has brought in more than $105,000, greatly surpassing its original $25,000 goal.
"We are so grateful for all the love and community support that has poured in for our son and hope that the world will focus on all that love and compassion as a beacon of hope for human relations and place recognition upon how much stronger the love and the spirit of community is than the dark moments of violence. Love wins our son is a champion of love and family and the resilient spirit of human perseverance and will to be good and kind and loving!" a post on the fundraiser reads in part.
Loved ones also created Team Johnathan, to help foster "Nurturing, Healing, Love" in the community.
Anyone with information on the horrific crime should call the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department Homicide Section at 702-828-3521 or by email at [email protected].
