12-Year-Old Girl Killed in Alleged Bullying Incident at Los Angeles School

Khimberly Zavaleta died after being struck in the head with a metal water bottle, sparking a homicide investigation and student protests.

Mar. 3, 2026 at 5:47am

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The Los Angeles Police Department has launched a homicide investigation after a 12-year-old student, Khimberly Zavaleta, died following an alleged bullying incident at Reseda High School. Khimberly's family said she suffered a brain injury after being hit in the head with a metal water bottle thrown by another student. After spending days in a coma and undergoing surgery, Khimberly died at a hospital early Wednesday morning.

Why it matters

The tragic death of Khimberly Zavaleta has sparked outrage and calls for justice from the local community, highlighting ongoing concerns about bullying and school safety. The incident has also raised questions about the school district's response and whether more could have been done to prevent the tragedy.

The details

According to reports, Khimberly was trying to protect her sister from an alleged bullying incident when she was struck in the head with a metal water bottle. The attack left her with a severe brain injury, and she was placed in a coma before succumbing to her injuries several days later. In response to the incident, a group of students held a protest at Reseda High School, demanding justice for Khimberly and criticizing the school's handling of the situation.

  • Khimberly Zavaleta was struck in the head on an unspecified date.
  • Khimberly spent several days in a coma before dying at the hospital on February 22, 2026.
  • The student protest at Reseda High School took place on February 28, 2026.

The players

Khimberly Zavaleta

A 12-year-old student at Reseda High School who died after being struck in the head with a metal water bottle during an alleged bullying incident.

Elma Chuquipa

Khimberly Zavaleta's mother, who expressed devastation over the loss of her daughter.

Dayari Diaz

Khimberly's friend who organized a protest at Reseda High School in support of the victim.

Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD)

The school district that oversees Reseda High School, which expressed deep sadness over Khimberly's death and committed to providing support and resources to the affected community.

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What they’re saying

“I'm devastated. I'm full of pain, thinking about how I will never see my daughter again.”

— Elma Chuquipa, Khimberly Zavaleta's mother

“We're all sad. Because she was the one who gave all the energy to us, because she was so happy. She was always happy. She was always smiling.”

— Dayari Diaz, Khimberly's friend

“We want justice for her. The school is not doing anything.”

— Dayari Diaz, Khimberly's friend

What’s next

The Los Angeles Police Department is continuing its homicide investigation into Khimberly Zavaleta's death, and the LA Unified School District has pledged to provide additional support and resources to the Reseda High School community.

The takeaway

The tragic death of Khimberly Zavaleta has shaken the Reseda community and raised urgent questions about bullying, school safety, and the need for more effective interventions to protect vulnerable students. This incident underscores the ongoing challenges schools face in addressing the complex issue of bullying and the devastating consequences it can have.