RESEDA, CA — The Los Angeles Police Department has launched a homicide investigation into the death of 12-year-old Khimberly Zavaleta Chuquipa, a sixth-grade student who died Wednesday following what her family describes as a violent bullying incident at Reseda High School.
The preteen passed away at UCLA Children’s Hospital on Feb. 25, ten days after she was allegedly struck in the head with a metal water bottle by another student in a school hallway. The incident has sparked outrage among parents and raised critical questions regarding school safety and medical protocols for traumatic brain injuries in minors.
Timeline of the Incident and Medical Complications
According to family statements and initial reports from local affiliates NBC 4 and FOX 11, the physical altercation occurred in mid-February. Following the impact, Chuquipa reportedly suffered from persistent, severe headaches.
Her family sought emergency medical care shortly after the incident, but they allege the student was initially discharged and sent home. Her condition deteriorated rapidly days later when she collapsed due to a massive brain hemorrhage.
“Major blood vessels in her brain ruptured,” a representative for the family stated via a verified GoFundMe page. “She was rushed to UCLA Children’s Hospital, placed in an induced coma, and underwent complex emergency brain surgery.”
Despite medical intervention, Chuquipa suffered cardiac arrest at approximately 3:30 a.m. on Wednesday.
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LAPD and LAUSD Respond to Homicide Probe
The Los Angeles Police Department has confirmed the case is being treated as a homicide investigation. While the age of the alleged assailant suggests the case may be handled within the juvenile justice system, authorities have not yet released details regarding potential charges or the identity of the other student involved.
The Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD) issued a statement expressing condolences but cited privacy laws as a barrier to disclosing specific details about the confrontation.
“The District takes the safety and well-being of our students very seriously,” an LAUSD spokesperson said. “We are currently cooperating with law enforcement in connection with this incident.”
A Community in Mourning
Reseda High School, a charter facility serving grades 6 through 12, has become a site of mourning. A growing memorial of flowers and candles sits outside the campus as classmates and faculty grapple with the loss.
Chuquipa’s mother, Elma, spoke of her daughter’s vibrant life, noting her love for music, volleyball, and her two dogs. “I’m devastated. I’m full of pain, thinking about how I will never see my daughter again,” she told reporters.
Her uncle, Guy Gazit, characterized the tragedy as a “cautionary tale” for the district, emphasizing that no family should fear sending their child to school.
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Look Ahead: Accountability and Safety Protocols
As the LAPD continues its investigation, the focus of the probe is expected to center on two primary areas:
- School Supervision: Whether faculty were present during the alleged assault and if the school’s anti-bullying policies were effectively implemented.
- Medical Liability: The circumstances surrounding the initial emergency room visit and why the severity of the internal head trauma was not identified before the fatal hemorrhage.
The LAUSD has pledged to provide counseling services to students and staff as the investigation proceeds.
