A 12-year-old girl tragically lost her life after stepping in to protect her sister from an alleged bullying incident at Reseda Charter High School in Los Angeles, prompting a homicide investigation.
Khimberly Zavaleta suffered a severe head injury during the confrontation and died early Wednesday, Feb. 25, according to her family.
The altercation reportedly occurred on Feb. 17 when Khimberly noticed her older sister being harassed in a school hallway.
Their mother, Elma Chuquipa, told KABC-TV that a boy allegedly pushed her older daughter, and Khimberly intervened to separate them.
“My daughter goes and pulls her away, so they don’t hit her sister, and that’s when [Khimberly] gets hit in the head,” Chuquipa said.
Family members reported that a metal water bottle struck Khimberly, and video footage of the incident exists.
After sustaining the injury, Khimberly experienced a critical medical emergency.
Doctors at UCLA Mattel Children’s Hospital reported that major blood vessels in her brain had ruptured.
She was placed in a medically induced coma and underwent emergency brain surgery.
Despite these efforts, she passed away at 3:30 a.m. Wednesday, surrounded by her family.
A GoFundMe page set up by loved ones confirmed her death, stating, “Her family remained by her side, praying and hoping she would come home, but at 3:30AM, her heart gave out.”
Family members and friends remembered Khimberly as a lively and loving child who brought joy to those around her.
“As the baby of our family, she brought a special light and joy into our lives,” her family wrote on GoFundMe. “She loved her family, music, volleyball, walks with her two beloved dogs, and had many dreams for the future.”
Her uncle, Guy Gazit, described her death as “a big loss for us” and warned other families of the dangers of unsupervised confrontations, according to Us Weekly.
The Los Angeles Police Department’s Robbery-Homicide Division is leading the investigation, with spokesman Jeffrey Lee confirming that the case is being treated as a homicide.
Police have withheld further details due to the involvement of minors and the sensitive nature of the incident, according to the Los Angeles Times.
In the days following Khimberly’s death, students held a vigil outside Reseda Charter High School, leaving flowers and candles in her memory.
The Los Angeles Unified School District has pledged cooperation with law enforcement and is providing counseling and support services for students and staff affected by the tragedy.
District officials emphasized that additional information could not be released out of respect for the family and confidentiality concerns, Fox 11 reported.
The community continues to mourn Khimberly’s passing while reflecting on the dangers of bullying and the importance of supporting young students.
Her family’s message underscores the profound impact of losing a child and the need for vigilance in protecting children from violence.
“Her passing has left our family in unimaginable pain,” the GoFundMe statement reads. “No parents should ever have to endure the loss of their youngest child.”
