Tragic Death of 12-Year-Old LA Girl Following School Water Bottle Incident
A 12-year-old girl from Los Angeles has tragically died days after being struck in the head with a metal water bottle at her school, in an incident that has sparked a homicide investigation and widespread community outrage. Khimberly Zavaleta was reportedly hit by a female classmate after stepping in to protect her sister from alleged bullying, according to statements from her grieving family.
Timeline of the Tragic Events
The incident occurred on February 17 inside a hallway at Reseda High School, where authorities say a girl hurled a metal water bottle at Khimberly. She was initially taken to the emergency room for treatment and released the same day, but ten days later she suffered a devastating brain hemorrhage and collapsed. She was immediately rushed to UCLA's Children's Hospital, where medical teams placed her in an induced coma and performed emergency surgery in a desperate attempt to save her life.
Tragically, Khimberly passed away early Thursday morning after going into heart failure, as confirmed by her uncle Guy Gazit in a heartfelt Facebook post. The Los Angeles Police Department has since opened a formal homicide investigation into the case, though officials have stated that no further information will be released publicly because the matter involves juveniles. Authorities have not yet determined conclusively whether the initial water bottle incident is directly connected to the hemorrhage that ultimately caused her death.
Family and Community Response
Khimberly's mother, Elma Chuquipa, expressed both grief and hope in an emotional statement to KTLA, saying, 'God is touching the heart of many people who are coming to ask for justice and to support me. I feel happy that at some point there will be justice.' The family has created a GoFundMe campaign to help cover medical bills and funeral expenses, which has raised nearly $26,000 - just $4,000 short of their fundraising goal.
The description on the fundraiser, created by her uncle, painted a poignant picture of the young girl: 'As the baby of our family, she brought a special light and joy into our lives. She loved her family, music, volleyball, walks with her two beloved dogs, and had many dreams for the future. Tragically, Khimberly's life was cut short following a bullying incident at school.'
School and Student Reactions
Dayari Diaz, Khimberly's friend and fellow student at Reseda High School, organized a protest at the school on Friday with assistance from her mother. Diaz told NBC Los Angeles, 'We're all sad. Because she was the one who gave all the energy to us, because she was so happy. She was always happy. She was always smiling. We want justice for her. The school is not doing anything.'
The Los Angeles Unified School District issued a formal statement expressing deep sadness over the student's death: 'Our thoughts and condolences are with the student's family, friends, and the entire school community. Out of respect for the family and to protect confidentiality, we cannot share details. The District remains committed to providing support to students, staff, and families affected by this loss, including counseling services and additional resources on campus.'
The statement continued, 'The District takes the safety and well-being of our students very seriously. We are currently cooperating with law enforcement in connection with this incident.' Reseda High School is a charter institution that educates students from grades 6 through 12.
Ongoing Developments
A memorial service for Khimberly has been scheduled for March 22 as the community continues to mourn her untimely passing. The Los Angeles Police Department continues its investigation into the circumstances surrounding her death, while the school district has pledged to provide ongoing support to those affected by this tragedy. The case highlights ongoing concerns about school safety, bullying prevention, and youth violence in educational settings across the country.
