Fort Lauderdale High School student dies by suicide on school grounds
A Fort Lauderdale High School student died by suicide Thursday morning on the school campus, according to Fort Lauderdale Fire Rescue Battalion Chief Steve Gollan, who emphasized the need to raise awareness about student mental health issues.
Gollan said that at about 10 a.m., fire rescue received a 911 call regarding an injured student at the school, 1600 NE Fourth Ave. Emergency personnel took him to Broward Health Medical Center.
“We found a male believed to be 17 or 18 years old who had traumatic injuries,” Gollan said. “At this time, it’s an ongoing investigation. However, the preliminary investigation indicates that the male had taken his own life.”
Neither Gollan nor the school district identified the student.
Keyla I. Concepcion, a spokeswoman for Broward County Public Schools, didn’t provide any details about what happened at the school, which on Thursday afternoon experienced more traffic and more parents at pickup than usual, as well as a police presence. Students with somber faces slowly walked out of the building.
Concepcion forwarded an email the district sent to parents and guardians at about 11:20 a.m. notifying them of “an isolated incident involving a Fort Lauderdale High School student who has been transported to the hospital.”
“The student’s parents have been contacted and are aware of the situation,” the email read.
At about 1 p.m., Concepcion shared a message that Fort Lauderdale High School Principal Erin Brown sent to the students and families: “Unfortunately, this morning’s medical emergency involved a student who tragically took his own life. Our hearts are broken, and our thoughts are with his family. We are here for ALL of you.
“If any student or family member is feeling overwhelmed with loss or grief or just needs help, please reach out to the school. You can also access help after school hours by calling 2-1-1 or get help through Broward Schools website browardschools.com/student-services,” the missive read.
School Board Member Sarah Leonardi, who represents District 3, which covers Fort Lauderdale High School, shared a tweet saying she “was devastated to learn about the tragedy.”
“My thoughts and prayers are with the student’s family and loved ones,” she wrote. “If anyone on campus is [in] need of support, the mental health crisis team is there to provide that.”
The Fort Lauderdale Police Department didn’t respond to a request for comment from the Herald.
At the start of the school year, in Miami-Dade Public Schools, a Palmetto Senior High student with “traumatic injuries” was airlifted to a hospital after authorities said she fell. She survived.
Miami Herald producer Pierre Taylor contributed to this report.
