Tragedy Strikes LA School: 12-Year-Old Girl Passes Away After Water Bottle Incident; Young Suspect in Custody

A tragic incident has led to the arrest of a child in connection with the untimely death of 12-year-old Khimberly Zavaleta Chuquipa. The young girl suffered a fatal injury after being hit by a metal water bottle in what is alleged to be a bullying attack at her school.

The heartbreaking event took place on February 17, when Khimberly, in a brave act to defend her younger sister during a hallway altercation, sustained a brain hemorrhage. Sadly, this injury led her into a coma, and she subsequently passed away, as reported by her grieving family.

This devastating occurrence has sparked a homicide investigation by the Los Angeles Police Department, which announced the arrest of a minor suspect on murder charges on Thursday. The identity of the child has not been disclosed, as is customary in cases involving juveniles.

Crucial evidence in the case includes video footage capturing the moments leading up to the tragic event. The video, showing students involved in a scuffle and heated exchange, is a key component of the wrongful-death claim filed by Khimberly’s family against the Los Angeles Unified School District.

The family accuses the school of neglect, claiming that officials were aware of persistent bullying connected to the incident but failed to act. They assert that this negligence created an unsafe environment that ultimately led to Khimberly’s death.

In a statement obtained by CBS News, attorney Robert Glassman of Panish Shea Ravipudi LLP emphasized the importance of the arrest for accountability. However, he stressed that, “this tragedy was entirely preventable,” highlighting the need for systemic changes to prevent such occurrences in the future.

A spokesperson for the LAUSD did not immediately respond to The California Post’s request for comment.

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Following the attack, Chuquipa was taken to Valley Presbyterian Hospital in Van Nuys for evaluation and was subsequently released.

Three days later, she collapsed at home and was rushed back to the hospital, where doctors discovered a “catastrophic” brain hemorrhage.

She underwent emergency brain surgery and was placed in an induced coma, but tragically died on Feb. 25 at the UCLA Mattel Children’s Hospital.

“I’m devastated. I’m full of pain, thinking about how I will never see my daughter again,’ Elma Chuquipa, Khimberly’s mother, told NBC Los Angeles at the time.