12-Year-Old Girl Dies After Being Struck by a Water Bottle

A 12-year-old girl has died after she was struck on the head with a metal water bottle by a bully.

Khimberly Zavaleta Chuquipa succumbed to her injuries at a hospital in Los Angeles, California, on Wednesday, February 25. She had undergone brain surgery following the incident, which occurred ten days earlier when another student allegedly hit her as they passed in a hallway.

According to her family, Chuquipa experienced severe headaches in the days that followed the attack but was discharged from the emergency room after her initial visit.

A few days later, she was readmitted to the hospital after collapsing due to a brain hemorrhage, as multiple reports indicated.

“Major blood vessels in her brain ruptured, requiring her to be transported to UCLA Children's Hospital where she was placed in an induced coma and underwent complex emergency brain surgery,” stated a GoFundMe page set up in her memory after her passing.

Despite her family's hopes and prayers for her recovery, her heart ultimately failed at 3:30 a.m.

The Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) is currently treating Chuquipa’s death as a homicide, as reported by KTLA. However, they have not disclosed additional details regarding the investigation at this point.

The GoFundMe page dedicated to Chuquipa expressed, “As the youngest member of our family, she brought an undeniable light and joy to our lives.”

Furthermore, her family described her interests, stating, “She loved her family, music, volleyball, and walks with her two cherished dogs, and she had many aspirations for the future.”

Her mother, Elma, shared her heartbreak with NBC 4 Los Angeles, saying, “I’m devastated. I’m filled with pain, knowing I will never see my daughter again.”

Chuquipa's uncle, Guy Gazit, remarked to Fox 11, “This is a cautionary tale that such things should never happen to any child. It’s a fear that every parent, uncle, and relative experiences, losing someone innocent and so young.”

A student at Reseda High, a charter school accommodating grades six through twelve, Chuquipa is being memorialized outside the school where numerous individuals have gathered to pay their respects.

In a statement, a representative from the Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD) expressed, according to KTLA, that the district is “deeply saddened by the death of a Reseda High School student.”

“Our thoughts and condolences are extended to the student’s family, friends, and the entire school community,” the statement added.

Furthermore, they mentioned, “In respect to the family and to maintain confidentiality, we cannot provide further details.”

The district reiterated its commitment to offering support to students, staff, and families impacted by this tragedy, which includes counseling services and additional resources available on campus.

“The District is dedicated to the safety and well-being of our students. We are cooperating fully with law enforcement regarding this incident,” the statement concluded.