Teen with special needs dies after students beat him for his cellphone

Wednesday, January 31, 2018
WASHINGTON, D.C. (KTRK) -- Police say a high school student with special needs has died after he was severely beaten because he wouldn't let classmates use his cellphone.

Family members of Joevon Patterson-Smith say the 17-year-old complained of being beaten and kicked in the head by three boys and a girl in his classroom earlier this month.
[Ads /]
His family says he developed blood clots, was hospitalized twice and went into a coma.

Patterson-Smith died from his injuries on Monday.
[Ads /]
Police are waiting for autopsy results to see what steps they should take next in the investigation.

No charges have been filed so far.
Copyright © 2026 KTRK-TV. All Rights Reserved.