Khimberly Zavaleta, a 12-year-old student, died in February following a bullying incident at Reseda Charter High School where she intervened to protect her older sister. The girl was struck in the head with a metal water bottle during the altercation on February 17. Authorities are investigating the case as a homicide.
On February 17, at Reseda Charter High School in the San Fernando Valley area of Los Angeles, Khimberly Zavaleta stepped in to defend her older sister from a group of students bullying her in the school hallway during dismissal time. According to her mother, Elma Chuquipa, a tall boy approached the older sister, pushing her, and ignored her suggestion to go to the principal's office. Khimberly tried to pull her sister away, at which point she was hit in the head with a metal water bottle by another 12-year-old student, the family said.
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.
