A juvenile has been arrested in connection with the death of 12-year-old Khimberly Zavaleta Chuquipa, who died after being struck in the head with a metal water bottle during an alleged bullying incident at Reseda Charter High School on February 17. The suspect, whose age and gender have not been disclosed, was taken into custody on suspicion of murder, according to the Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD).
Khimberly was injured while attempting to defend her older sister, Sharon, from bullies. She was initially treated at Valley Presbyterian Hospital and later transferred to UCLA Mattel Children’s Hospital, where she underwent brain surgery after suffering a "catastrophic medical emergency." She died on February 25.
The LAPD is investigating the incident as a homicide. Khimberly’s family has filed a wrongful-death claim against the Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD), alleging that school officials failed to address repeated bullying reports or implement adequate safety measures. The family’s attorney, Robert Glassman, stated that the same group of students had previously bullied other children and attacked another female student before the incident.
The case has raised questions about school safety and bullying prevention policies in LAUSD. The district has not yet publicly responded to the lawsuit.