RESEDA, CA — A 12-year-old girl is dead after her family said she tried to protect her sister from an alleged bullying incident at Reseda High School, according to multiple reports.
Khimberly Zavaleta died Wednesday morning, caused by a brain injury she suffered when another student threw a metal water bottle at her head, her family told NBC Los Angeles.
According to a GoFundMe fundraiser established for her family, Khimberly suffered a brain hemorrhage days after the incident. Major blood vessels in her brain ruptured, and she was rushed to UCLA Children’s Hospital, placed in an induced coma and underwent complex emergency brain surgery.
“I’m devastated. I’m full of pain, thinking about how I will never see my daughter again,” Khimberly’s mother, Elma Chuquipa, told NBC.
Los Angeles police are investigating the girl’s death as a homicide, KTLA reported. Police have not released additional details about the investigation.
The Los Angeles Unified School District released a statement in response to the incident, saying it was deeply saddened by the death of a Reseda High School student. The district did not release additional information about the incident to protect student confidentiality.
“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,” school officials said.
According to her family, Khimberly loved music, volleyball and walks with her two dogs.
“She brought a special light and joy into our lives,” her family wrote on GoFundMe. “(She) had many dreams for the future.”
Funds raised for Khimberly’s family will be used for funeral and burial services, medical expenses, and to allow her parents and siblings time to grieve together.
“Her life mattered and bullying must be stopped,” her family wrote. “May her memory be a blessing. Te amo mucho, mi amor.”