14-year-old Rezwan Kohistani, was found dead on May 5th on school property at Webb City High School. His family had arrived in the U.S. in the aftermath of the fall of the previous Afghan government, according to the Missouri chapter and national office of the Council on American-Islamic Relations, the nation’s largest Muslim civil rights and advocacy organization.
The groups said Friday in a statement that they were “saddened and disturbed” by Kohistani’s death. They urged local law enforcement to conduct a “thorough, transparent and comprehensive” investigation into the death, and the school district to offer “culturally competent counseling” for parents and the community.
Webb City police Chief Don Melton said his department continues to investigate Kohistani’s death. The teen’s body was found at around 7 a.m. on Thursday, May 5th, near the high school baseball field, he said.
The incident was an “unattended death with no obvious signs of foul play,” Melton said, adding that his department was awaiting complete autopsy results before commenting further.
Jasper County Coroner Randy Nace said he ruled the teen’s death a suicide by hanging.
In the weeks since Kohistani’s death, social media has been flooded with reports that the teenager had been bullied. The Missouri chapter and national office of CAIR, in their Friday statement, referenced “the pattern of anti-Muslim and racist bullying to which he (Kohistani) had allegedly been subjected.”
Meanwhile, a GoFundMe account has been established for the Kohistani family. It has been reported that the family will resettle in Texas.
“All donations will go directly to the family to compensate them for loss of income, moving expenses, food, gas and other costs that may arise,” the creator of the GoFundMe account wrote on the fundraising page. “We want to ensure that they have the resources to endure this difficult time without a heavy financial burden. Let’s come together as a community to support the Kohistanis.”
More than $26,000 had been raised for the family of Rezwan Kohistani.
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6 comments
There is no need for this type of behavior of disrespect and violence to take place in today’s society. We are not barbaric individuals rather we are supposed to be intelligent to the point we think logically. I am pretty sure the individuals who committed this act of injustice and violence against this 14yr old kid thinks they got away with it, by inflicting pain upon another family, but what they fail to realize is there is a GOD ALLAH and his legions of Angels who watch and note everything. Karma will strike the individuals who are responsible for this matter and they will confess and be held accountable for this horrible crime as well as the individuals they told. Inna lillahi wa inna llayhi raaji’ oon. May Allah always protect the family and friends always .Assalamaualikum warahmatullahi wabarakutuhu
Prayers for his family
Police always rule it a suicide
RIP KING
RIP
First of all, as an Afghan compatriot who once long time ago invited to Kohistan for the Meetball of Sparrow Meal by a Kohistani friend, I am thankful to the people who have supported his family and opened a fund-raising appeal for his family at this critical juncture.
I have not doubt at all that he was the victim of bullies at the school. Those responsible must be brought to the court of law and justice and be prosecuted and sentenced to a harsh imprisonment. I hope that the culture of protection would not save those racists criminals.
I convey my deepest sympathy and sorrow for the loss of our young Rezwan. He seemed to be a young boy with hundred dreams to achieve. May the Almighty rest his soul in peace and Paradis!