Authorities in Texas say a 17-year-old Black teenager was found hanged in the playground area of a school on Tuesday. According to a statement from the Harris County Sheriff’s Office, police responded to Ehrhardt Elementary in Houston just past 8 p.m. “after they were informed by a witness of a 17-year-old male found hanging from a tree in the playground area.” “Homicide investigators were able to review surveillance cameras & found no signs of foul play,” police said. “There are currently no signs of foul play. Cause of death is pending autopsy,” they said. No further details were available. The news came just one day after a separate incident in which a man was found hanged outside a store in Houston in what police say was likely a suicide. Two other Black men have been found hanged in recent weeks in Southern California, prompting calls for further investigation after authorities initially deemed the deaths to be suicides. 

If you or a loved one are struggling with suicidal thoughts, please reach out to the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-TALK (8255), or contact the Crisis Text Line by texting TALK to 741741.