Jonathan Lewis: Las Vegas schools criticized by officials for being out-of-control

Las Vegas officials blast local schools as out of control after a 17-year-old student and aspiring artist was swarmed by bullies.

Las Vegas officials are in an uproar over the lack of control in local schools, following the tragic death of a 17-year-old student and aspiring artist who was brutally attacked by a gang of bullies.

Jonathan Lewis, 17, was 'beaten to death' during a savage beatdown by about 15 other students outside Rancho High School, Las Vegas, on November 1. Police have launched a homicide investigation into his tragic death, but no arrests have been made.

School district officials have been warning about physical bullying for months, and Clark County school police have confiscated 20 guns and 52 knives so far this year. The executive director of the Clark County Education Association, John Vellardita, has warned that violence in schools has 'gotten out of hand.'

Footage appears to show Jonathan throwing a punch before being swarmed by up to 15 youths who are seen hitting and kicking him repeatedly as he lies on the ground. His father told local media he was standing up for a smaller friend who had been robbed and thrown in a trash can.

Assemblywoman Angie Taylor helped get Assembly Bill 285 through, which is a bill tackling the issue of student discipline at Nevada schools. Despite the bill passing, violent incidents continue to occur in educational establishments.

Jonathan Lewis, 17, died in the hospital days after he was attacked by a group of around 15 other teenagers. An extended version of the video showed one of his friends attempting to come to his aid - but he then receives blows to the back of the head.

The fight broke out on November 1 when the 17-year-old was bashed in broad daylight by the ferocious teens. Within seconds, the pack pounces on Jonathan Lewis and he is knocked to the ground.

Jonathan's father told local media he was standing up for a smaller friend who had been robbed and thrown in a trash can. Police are investigating but have not yet made any arrests, they told DailyMail.com on Monday.

Jonathan Lewis, 17, died on Tuesday following the savage beatdown over the road from the Rancho High School. An extended version of the video emerged last night showing one of his friends trying to come to his aid before being chased away and punched to the ground.

The teen was put on life support at University Medical Center, where he died last Tuesday after doctors attempted to save his life. He is said to have been targeted after standing-up for a smaller friend who'd just been robbed by the mob, according to a GoFundMe page set up by his family.

Jonathan was described as a loving, giving, kind, fierce young man who loved community and caring for others. His father called for empathy and love, and condemned the cowardly violence that led to his son's tragic death.

The heartbroken father added: 'I think there's just a failure of all of humanity to recognize that we need to be teaching our youth how to coexist. A true warrior would never cowardly beat one person just because the two or three members of the group couldn't beat the one warrior, a true warrior would let the others learn and grow.'

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