Nancy Pelosi pounces on death of non-binary student to blame Republicans, but Oklahoma police undermine liberal narrative

The death of a non-binary student at an Oklahoma high school has led to liberals blaming Republican policies regarding transgender bathroom use.

16-year-old Nex Benedict reportedly died as a result of injuries sustained during a brutal beating in the bathroom at Owasso High School in Owasso on Feb. 7.

Former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) was among those scurrying to score political points off of the death of a child.

"Nex Benedict’s death from a brutal assault in their high school bathroom is outrageous and heartbreaking. The anti-trans fervor fueled by extreme Republicans across the country is having deadly consequences for our children," Pelosi tweeted Wednesday.

"We must stand up against anti-trans hate," she added.

Another notable liberal voice jumping on the bandwagon was Democrat Sen. Liz Warren of Massachusetts.

"The killing of Nex Benedict is gut-wrenching and underscores the danger of extremists who are dehumanizing kids with anti-trans hate in Oklahoma and across the country," she tweeted.

"Every student should feel safe at school and supported for who they are. Nex deserves justice," she added.

The narrative collapses

Despite the attempt to smear Republicans, police said Wednesday that the non-binary student did not die as a result of injuries from the fight but that they were still investigating the cause of death.

"While the investigation continues into the altercation. Preliminary information from the medical examiner’s office is that a complete autopsy was performed and indicated that the decedent did not die as a result of trauma," read a statement from Owasso Police.

"At this time, any further comments on the cause of death are currently pending until toxicology results and other ancillary testing results are received," they added. "The official autopsy report will be available at a later date."

Police added other information from their investigation thus far.

They said that the fight was broken up by other students in the bathroom. All of the people involved were juveniles, and a school nurse examined them and determined an ambulance didn't need to be called.

“All students involved in the altercation walked under their own power to the assistant principal’s office and nurse’s office,” said district spokesman Jordan Korphage.

The next day, emergency personnel were called to a medical emergency involving Benedict, and the student was transported to the St. Francis Pediatric Emergency Room, where Benedict was declared dead.

Oklahoma Attorney General Gentner Drummond released a statement cautioning against rash conclusions but condemning bullying.

"As a parent and grandparent, my heart breaks for the tragic death of the Owasso student. Because investigators are still working to determine what precipitated this tragedy and the student's cause of death, it is too early to jump to conclusions," said Drummond.

"What is clear, however, is that our children are precious and should not have to endure the cruelty of others, especially when they are in school," he added. "Bullying must not be tolerated in any form."

Here's more about Benedict's death:

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