In a tragic turn of events, a school bully has been taken into custody on suspicion of murder, following accusations that she fatally injured a 12-year-old peer by throwing a metal bottle. The incident, which shocked the local community, resulted in the death of Khimberly Zavaleta earlier this year.
The Los Angeles Police Department arrested the suspect, also a 12-year-old girl whose identity remains confidential, after the heartbreaking incident at Reseda High School, located in Los Angeles.
Zavaleta’s family alleges that she was struck in the head by the metal bottle in a school hallway, an act that reportedly happened while she was bravely stepping in to defend her younger sister from bullying.
Initially, after being hit, Zavaleta was treated in the emergency room and discharged on the same day. However, the situation took a dire turn when, ten days later, she suffered a brain hemorrhage and collapsed unexpectedly.
Upon collapsing, Zavaleta was rushed back to the hospital, where medical professionals placed her in an induced coma and performed emergency surgery in a desperate attempt to save her life. Tragically, despite these efforts, she succumbed to her injuries and passed away due to heart failure.
She was rushed to hospital, where she was put into an induced coma and underwent emergency surgery before she died after going into heart failure.
Her mother Elma Chuqipa previously told KTLA: ‘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.’
Since her passing, a protest was held outside the school organized by her friend Dayari Diaz, a fellow student.
Khimberly Zavaleta, seen here, died after being struck in the head with a metal bottle, her family have claimed
She was taken to the emergency room for treatment and released the same day but 10 days later she suffered a brain hemorrhage and collapsed
She 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 smiling.’
Diaz added that she wanted justice for her late friend, while also claiming that the school was ‘not doing anything’.
A GoFundMe page was also set up to pay for her medical bills and cover funeral expenses, as of Friday it had raised just over $149,000.
A post to the fundraiser said: ‘A metal bottle thrown during a school bullying incident struck her in the head. Days later, her brain hemorrhaged. She never came home.
‘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, whereby another student threw a metal water bottle that struck her in the head.
‘Days later, she suffered a catastrophic medical emergency. 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.
‘Her family remained by her side, praying and hoping she would come home, but at 3:30AM, her heart gave out. She was only twelve.’
She was rushed to hospital, where she was put into an induced coma and underwent emergency surgery before she died after going into heart failure
Zavaleta, seen here on the right in pink, was described as being ‘always happy’ and ‘always smiling’ by a classmate
In a statement, the Los Angeles Unified School District said: ‘The Los Angeles Unified School District is deeply saddened by the death of a Reseda High School student.
‘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 District takes the safety and well-being of our students very seriously. We are currently cooperating with law enforcement in connection with this incident.’
