A HIGH school student has died after falling from the fourth-floor of a building on campus while reportedly fleeing a fight.
The boy, who has not been identified, fell to his death at around 1pm at Benjamin Franklin High School in Highland Park on Wednesday, the Los Angeles Police Department said.
Footage circulating on social media, along with witness reports from fellow students, suggest the teen was being chased after a fight broke out in a class room.
The school was plunged into a three-hour lock down following the incident and the circumstances of the fall remain under investigation.
There is no evidence of foul play, the LAPD said.
The incident occurred at the end of fourth period as students prepared to take lunch.
Police received reports that a boy had jumped or fallen from the fourth floor and died from his injuries.
Now, several videos filmed inside the school at the time and obtained by Fox 11 , appear to show the moments leading up to his death.
One shows a brutal fight between two male students inside a class room where one teenager throws a series of punches at another who is on the ground.
A teacher can be heard yelling “stop” and he appears to be able to end the fight, standing between the pair until the teen throws another punch.
The boy who had been beaten then runs from the classroom.
Another video appears to show the same boy being chased by the student who had beaten him.
As he tries to flee, he appears to grab the railing before jumping over it.
“I hear stuff rumbling, falling, and I look up and I see kids fighting and I see a kid getting hurt pretty bad and he runs out the classroom,” one witness told Fox.
“I go outside to see the commotion and I see him lift himself up and he just throws himself over the fourth floor.”
Student Andrew Rivera told ABC News affiliate KABC that he had heard a “big thump.”
The school triggered its lock down safety protocols over “a medical emergency,” with students not being released to their parents until 4pm.
“My heart was racing, I had to call my children to see if they were okay, because no parents wants to have that phone call saying that your son or daughter has died at school,” one mom told NBC Los Angeles.
In a statement, the Franklin High School principal said: “Today, our school community experienced a medical emergency.
“Out of respect for our community, and in accordance with privacy and confidentiality laws, we are unable to share additional information.
“We recognize that events such as this can affect students and staff in different ways.
“The well-being of our school community remains our top priority.”
Meanwhile, students and parents have been laying flowers and lighting candles at a memorial on campus for the teenager.
An investigation into what happened is ongoing with the LAPD and no further information has been given.
The Los Angeles Unified School District told Fox 11 it would not be issuing a statement about the incident at this time.
Classes will resume at the school on Thursday and counselors will be on campus.
