Killing Of Jonathan Lewis
Teen Mob Assault Homicide
CLASSIFICATION: Murder
LOCATION
Las Vegas, Nevada
TIME PERIOD
November 1, 2023
VICTIMS
1 confirmed
The case involves the fatal assault of 17-year-old Jonathan Edward Lewis Jr. on November 1, 2023, at Rancho High School in Las Vegas, Nevada. Lewis was attacked by a mob of approximately 15 students after he intervened on behalf of a friend who had been bullied. Following the assault, Lewis was hospitalized with severe head trauma and was declared brain dead on November 7, 2023. Nine juveniles have been arrested and are facing murder charges in connection with the incident. Significant evidence includes video footage of the attack and eyewitness accounts detailing the events leading up to the confrontation.
The incident surrounding Jonathan Lewis's death has led to speculation that the attack was racially motivated, given that the mob consisted primarily of African American students. Some believe that the escalation of bullying and the subsequent fight were indicative of a larger issue of gang culture within the school. Additionally, there are theories that suggest the school administration may have inadequately addressed the bullying incidents leading up to the fatal confrontation.
The Tragic Death of Jonathan Lewis: A Story of Violence and Injustice
Jonathan Lewis: A Promising Young Life
The life of Jonathan Edward Lewis Jr., a 17-year-old student at Rancho High School in Las Vegas, Nevada, ended tragically in the first week of November 2023. Born on January 10, 2006, Jonathan was a vibrant young man with dreams that stretched far beyond the halls of his high school. Described by his father as "a loving, giving, kind, fierce young man who loved community and caring for others," Jonathan had a deep passion for the arts, particularly drawing, photography, and painting. He was also an avid music lover, especially drawn to hip-hop. Beyond his artistic aspirations, Jonathan considered following in his grandfather's footsteps by joining the military, inspired by his grandfather's service in the U.S. Navy.
Jonathan lived with his mother, Mellisa Ready, and had plans to move to Austin, Texas, to be with his father, Jonathan Lewis Sr. However, these plans would never come to fruition, as a brutal act of violence would soon change everything.
A Fatal Encounter
The chain of events that led to Jonathan's untimely death began with a seemingly minor incident of school bullying. Earlier in the week of his death, a group of students at Rancho High School targeted a smaller student, stealing his wireless headphones and possibly a marijuana vape pen before throwing him into a trash can. This student happened to be a close friend of Jonathan's. Determined to stand up for his friend, Jonathan found himself caught in a confrontation that escalated rapidly.
On November 1, 2023, after classes had ended for the day, a prearranged fight took place in a back alley near the school. Although Jonathan had not intended to engage in the altercation, he accompanied his friend to the location, a decision that would prove fatal. There, they faced a mob of approximately 15 students, most of whom were African American. A video of the incident captured the moments before the assault, showing Jonathan bravely removing his shirt in preparation for the fight. But the odds were against him. He was quickly swarmed, pushed against a fence, and forced to the ground, where he was brutally punched, kicked, and stomped on by ten individuals.
Desperate Fight for Survival
After the savage attack, Jonathan was discovered unconscious and badly beaten by a passerby, who carried him back to the campus, prompting school staff to call 911. He was rushed to the University Medical Center of Southern Nevada, where doctors battled to save his life. Despite their efforts, it soon became clear that the injuries were catastrophic. Jonathan was placed on life support, and doctors determined that he had suffered "nonsurvivable head trauma." On November 7, 2023, Jonathan was declared medically brain dead. The Clark County coroner's office later confirmed that he had died from blunt force trauma, a devastating end to a promising life.
The Investigation and Legal Proceedings
The shocking violence of Jonathan's death prompted a swift response from law enforcement. Nine juveniles, all students at Rancho High School, were taken into custody and faced murder charges. Their ages ranged from 13 to 17. Among them were Gianni Robinson, Damien Hernandez, Treavion Randolph, and Dontral Beaver, who, due to their ages (16 and 17), were initially scheduled to be tried as adults. The younger participants, aged 13 to 15, were held in a juvenile detention center pending certification hearings scheduled for December 6, 2023. Meanwhile, one student involved in the attack remained at large.
In January 2024, a 15-year-old involved in the incident pled guilty to voluntary manslaughter and was committed to Child Correctional Services. The following month, two more defendants under the age of 16, including the youngest at 13, also pled guilty to the same charge.
In a dramatic turn of events on August 2, 2024, the District Attorney offered a plea deal to the four older teenagers, allowing them to plead guilty to manslaughter as juveniles. The deal was conditional, requiring all four to accept it; otherwise, they would be charged in adult court. Jonathan's mother, Mellisa Ready, vehemently criticized the plea, stating she was not notified and expressing her outrage to KLAS-TV: "You cannot jump on a human being's head, stomp on him, and think that they're going to remain alive after. They knew he was going to die, and that's how I feel – and they're letting them get away with murder." She lamented the lack of justice for her son, emphasizing that those who filmed the attack and shared it on social media did nothing to help.
On September 4, 2024, the four teenagers accepted the plea deal, pleading guilty to voluntary manslaughter. Karen A. Connolly, Damien Hernandez's attorney, told CBS News, "Though not one of the major participants, Damien deeply regrets his participation in the melee which resulted in Jonathan's tragic death. He accepts full responsibility and will accept whatever punishment is meted out." Later that month, the four were sent to a juvenile detention center to receive counseling and participate in rehabilitative programs.
Legal Battle and Quest for Accountability
In the aftermath of her son's death, Mellisa Ready sought justice beyond the criminal proceedings. On April 9, 2025, she filed a lawsuit against the Clark County School District and Sandra Corona, the owner of the property where the fatal beating occurred. The lawsuit accused them of wrongful death and negligence, alleging that the beating took place on an area "adjacent to and partially on" Corona's property on the 1300 block of North 21st Street, a "known gathering spot" for students with a history of fights and criminal activity. Ready argued that the district failed to supervise students, implement preventive measures, or notify law enforcement, and that the perpetrators were known to the school administration for past aggressive or violent behavior.
In June 2025, Sandra Corona countered the lawsuit by arguing that she was not responsible for preventing the assault, citing state laws on trespasser liability, which do not require property owners to advise about dangerous conditions. Ready rejected this defense, with her attorney Richard Young contending that there was no evidence the attackers were trespassers as defined by state statute, thus maintaining that Corona shared responsibility for the preventable tragedy.
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Mob Attack on Jonathan Lewis
Jonathan Lewis is attacked by a mob of students at Rancho High School after defending a friend from bullies.
Jonathan Lewis Declared Brain Dead
Jonathan Lewis succumbs to injuries from the assault and is declared medically brain dead.
Arrests Made
Nine juveniles are taken into custody and face murder charges for their involvement in the beating.
First Guilty Plea
A 15-year-old pleads guilty to voluntary manslaughter in connection with Jonathan's death.
Two More Guilty Pleas
Two additional juveniles plead guilty to voluntary manslaughter related to the case.
Plea Deal Accepted
Four older teenagers plead guilty to voluntary manslaughter as part of a plea deal.
Lawsuit Filed
Mellisa Ready files a wrongful death lawsuit against the Clark County School District and property owner.
Negligence Claim Advances
A judge allows the negligence claim in the wrongful death lawsuit to proceed.
The case involves the fatal assault of 17-year-old Jonathan Edward Lewis Jr. on November 1, 2023, at Rancho High School in Las Vegas, Nevada. Lewis was attacked by a mob of approximately 15 students after he intervened on behalf of a friend who had been bullied. Following the assault, Lewis was hospitalized with severe head trauma and was declared brain dead on November 7, 2023. Nine juveniles have been arrested and are facing murder charges in connection with the incident. Significant evidence includes video footage of the attack and eyewitness accounts detailing the events leading up to the confrontation.
The incident surrounding Jonathan Lewis's death has led to speculation that the attack was racially motivated, given that the mob consisted primarily of African American students. Some believe that the escalation of bullying and the subsequent fight were indicative of a larger issue of gang culture within the school. Additionally, there are theories that suggest the school administration may have inadequately addressed the bullying incidents leading up to the fatal confrontation.
The Tragic Death of Jonathan Lewis: A Story of Violence and Injustice
Jonathan Lewis: A Promising Young Life
The life of Jonathan Edward Lewis Jr., a 17-year-old student at Rancho High School in Las Vegas, Nevada, ended tragically in the first week of November 2023. Born on January 10, 2006, Jonathan was a vibrant young man with dreams that stretched far beyond the halls of his high school. Described by his father as "a loving, giving, kind, fierce young man who loved community and caring for others," Jonathan had a deep passion for the arts, particularly drawing, photography, and painting. He was also an avid music lover, especially drawn to hip-hop. Beyond his artistic aspirations, Jonathan considered following in his grandfather's footsteps by joining the military, inspired by his grandfather's service in the U.S. Navy.
Jonathan lived with his mother, Mellisa Ready, and had plans to move to Austin, Texas, to be with his father, Jonathan Lewis Sr. However, these plans would never come to fruition, as a brutal act of violence would soon change everything.
A Fatal Encounter
The chain of events that led to Jonathan's untimely death began with a seemingly minor incident of school bullying. Earlier in the week of his death, a group of students at Rancho High School targeted a smaller student, stealing his wireless headphones and possibly a marijuana vape pen before throwing him into a trash can. This student happened to be a close friend of Jonathan's. Determined to stand up for his friend, Jonathan found himself caught in a confrontation that escalated rapidly.
On November 1, 2023, after classes had ended for the day, a prearranged fight took place in a back alley near the school. Although Jonathan had not intended to engage in the altercation, he accompanied his friend to the location, a decision that would prove fatal. There, they faced a mob of approximately 15 students, most of whom were African American. A video of the incident captured the moments before the assault, showing Jonathan bravely removing his shirt in preparation for the fight. But the odds were against him. He was quickly swarmed, pushed against a fence, and forced to the ground, where he was brutally punched, kicked, and stomped on by ten individuals.
Desperate Fight for Survival
After the savage attack, Jonathan was discovered unconscious and badly beaten by a passerby, who carried him back to the campus, prompting school staff to call 911. He was rushed to the University Medical Center of Southern Nevada, where doctors battled to save his life. Despite their efforts, it soon became clear that the injuries were catastrophic. Jonathan was placed on life support, and doctors determined that he had suffered "nonsurvivable head trauma." On November 7, 2023, Jonathan was declared medically brain dead. The Clark County coroner's office later confirmed that he had died from blunt force trauma, a devastating end to a promising life.
The Investigation and Legal Proceedings
The shocking violence of Jonathan's death prompted a swift response from law enforcement. Nine juveniles, all students at Rancho High School, were taken into custody and faced murder charges. Their ages ranged from 13 to 17. Among them were Gianni Robinson, Damien Hernandez, Treavion Randolph, and Dontral Beaver, who, due to their ages (16 and 17), were initially scheduled to be tried as adults. The younger participants, aged 13 to 15, were held in a juvenile detention center pending certification hearings scheduled for December 6, 2023. Meanwhile, one student involved in the attack remained at large.
In January 2024, a 15-year-old involved in the incident pled guilty to voluntary manslaughter and was committed to Child Correctional Services. The following month, two more defendants under the age of 16, including the youngest at 13, also pled guilty to the same charge.
In a dramatic turn of events on August 2, 2024, the District Attorney offered a plea deal to the four older teenagers, allowing them to plead guilty to manslaughter as juveniles. The deal was conditional, requiring all four to accept it; otherwise, they would be charged in adult court. Jonathan's mother, Mellisa Ready, vehemently criticized the plea, stating she was not notified and expressing her outrage to KLAS-TV: "You cannot jump on a human being's head, stomp on him, and think that they're going to remain alive after. They knew he was going to die, and that's how I feel – and they're letting them get away with murder." She lamented the lack of justice for her son, emphasizing that those who filmed the attack and shared it on social media did nothing to help.
On September 4, 2024, the four teenagers accepted the plea deal, pleading guilty to voluntary manslaughter. Karen A. Connolly, Damien Hernandez's attorney, told CBS News, "Though not one of the major participants, Damien deeply regrets his participation in the melee which resulted in Jonathan's tragic death. He accepts full responsibility and will accept whatever punishment is meted out." Later that month, the four were sent to a juvenile detention center to receive counseling and participate in rehabilitative programs.
Legal Battle and Quest for Accountability
In the aftermath of her son's death, Mellisa Ready sought justice beyond the criminal proceedings. On April 9, 2025, she filed a lawsuit against the Clark County School District and Sandra Corona, the owner of the property where the fatal beating occurred. The lawsuit accused them of wrongful death and negligence, alleging that the beating took place on an area "adjacent to and partially on" Corona's property on the 1300 block of North 21st Street, a "known gathering spot" for students with a history of fights and criminal activity. Ready argued that the district failed to supervise students, implement preventive measures, or notify law enforcement, and that the perpetrators were known to the school administration for past aggressive or violent behavior.
In June 2025, Sandra Corona countered the lawsuit by arguing that she was not responsible for preventing the assault, citing state laws on trespasser liability, which do not require property owners to advise about dangerous conditions. Ready rejected this defense, with her attorney Richard Young contending that there was no evidence the attackers were trespassers as defined by state statute, thus maintaining that Corona shared responsibility for the preventable tragedy.
Sources
No Recent News
No recent news articles found for this case. Check back later for updates.
No Evidence Submitted
No evidence found for this case. Be the first to submit evidence in the comments below.
Join the discussion
Loading comments...
Mob Attack on Jonathan Lewis
Jonathan Lewis is attacked by a mob of students at Rancho High School after defending a friend from bullies.
Jonathan Lewis Declared Brain Dead
Jonathan Lewis succumbs to injuries from the assault and is declared medically brain dead.
Arrests Made
Nine juveniles are taken into custody and face murder charges for their involvement in the beating.
First Guilty Plea
A 15-year-old pleads guilty to voluntary manslaughter in connection with Jonathan's death.
Two More Guilty Pleas
Two additional juveniles plead guilty to voluntary manslaughter related to the case.
Plea Deal Accepted
Four older teenagers plead guilty to voluntary manslaughter as part of a plea deal.
Lawsuit Filed
Mellisa Ready files a wrongful death lawsuit against the Clark County School District and property owner.
Negligence Claim Advances
A judge allows the negligence claim in the wrongful death lawsuit to proceed.