Khimberly Zavaleta, seorang siswa berusia 12 tahun, meninggal pada Februari setelah insiden perundungan di Reseda Charter High School di mana ia turun tangan melindungi kakak perempuannya. Gadis itu terkena pukulan di kepala dengan botol air logam selama keributan pada 17 Februari. Pihak berwenang sedang menyelidiki kasus ini sebagai pembunuhan.
Pada 17 Februari, di Reseda Charter High School di daerah San Fernando Valley, Los Angeles, Khimberly Zavaleta maju untuk membela kakak perempuannya dari sekelompok siswa yang merundungnya di lorong sekolah saat waktu pulang. Menurut ibunya, Elma Chuquipa, seorang anak laki-laki tinggi mendekati kakak perempuannya, mendorongnya, dan mengabaikan sarannya untuk pergi ke kantor kepala sekolah. Khimberly mencoba menarik kakaknya menjauh, saat itulah ia dipukul di kepala dengan botol air logam oleh siswa berusia 12 tahun lainnya, kata keluarga tersebut. The incident, partially captured on video that does not show the bottle being thrown, is under investigation as a homicide by the Los Angeles Police Department's Robbery-Homicide Division, Valley Bureau Section. Due to the juveniles involved, the LAPD has limited details, stating the sensitive nature of the case prevents further releases. Khimberly was hospitalized immediately after the attack but sent home. On February 19, while playing video games, she suffered a stroke from ruptured major blood vessels in her brain, leading to headaches and a catastrophic medical emergency, her family reported. She was rushed to UCLA Children's Hospital, placed in an induced coma, and underwent emergency brain surgery. On February 20 at around 3:30 a.m., her heart stopped with family by her side. Chuquipa told KABC that the family considered a six-hour surgery to remove accumulated blood but ultimately did not proceed as doctors determined Khimberly's brain was already dead. “As a mother, I felt so bad,” she said. The Los Angeles Unified School District expressed being deeply saddened and is cooperating with law enforcement while providing counseling and resources to affected students and staff. The school serves grades 6 through 8. On February 27, students held a demonstration in support of Khimberly and her family. A GoFundMe campaign seeks funds for funeral services, medical expenses, and relocating siblings to a safer school.
