Los Angeles police have launched a homicide investigation following the death of a 12-year-old girl who was reportedly hit in the head with a metal water bottle by another student at Reseda High School. The incident occurred earlier this month, but precise details have not been released.
The victim was named as Khimberly on a GoFundMe page set up by her family, which has raised nearly $90,000. The page described her as “the baby of our family” who loved music, volleyball, and walks with her dogs, and said her passing had left the family “in unimaginable pain”.
According to her uncle, Guy Gazit, Khimberly had complained of headaches after being struck. Her family took her to a doctor, but nothing was found to be wrong. On Saturday, she attended a family gathering and played games before suffering a seizure later that night. She was rushed to hospital and underwent emergency brain surgery for a severe brain bleed, remained in a coma for several days, and died early on Wednesday.
The family claim the injury resulted from a bullying incident and have called for the school to do more, holding both the student involved and teachers who failed to intervene accountable. Khimberly’s mother, Elma Chuquita, told CBS News in Spanish: “It’s not easy to see your child dying in a bed.”
The Los Angeles Unified School District expressed deep sadness over the death and said it was cooperating with police. The Independent has contacted the LAPD and the district for further comment.
