A 12-year-old girl in Los Angeles has passed away after a metal water bottle was thrown at her head in a school hallway. Police have launched a homicide investigation.
The family stated that Khimberly Zavaleta was struck by a metal object in a hallway at Reseda High School last week. She was taken to the emergency room and subsequently sent home.
A few days later, Khimberly collapsed and suffered a brain hemorrhage, according to KTLA. Her family said major blood vessels in her brain had ruptured; she was rushed to UCLA Mattel Children's Hospital, where she fell into a coma and underwent complex brain surgery. She passed away at 3:30 a.m.
The Los Angeles Police Department confirmed it is conducting an investigation into the incident as a serious crime. NBC Los Angeles reported that she was hit by the bottle while attempting to protect her younger sister from another student.
Khimberly's mother, Elma Chuquipa, told NBC she is devastated at the thought of never seeing her daughter again.
Students at the school held a memorial and called for justice for their classmate. A representative for the Los Angeles Unified School District expressed grief and sent condolences to the family, though they declined to provide further details to protect privacy.
The family described Khimberly as the youngest child who brought them immense joy, noting her love for family, music, volleyball, and walking her two dogs. They are seeking community support during this tragic time.
The investigation is ongoing.
