12-Year-Old Arrested in Death of Classmate Hit by Water Bottle

Authorities say the juvenile is suspected of murder in the fatal incident at a Los Angeles middle school.

Apr. 3, 2026 at 9:35pm

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An extreme close-up photograph of a crumpled, dented metal water bottle against a pitch-black background, conveying a stark, gritty, and investigative aesthetic.A tragic school incident involving a metal water bottle exposes the ongoing challenges of addressing bullying and violence in educational settings.Los Angeles Today

A 12-year-old has been arrested on suspicion of murder in the death of a classmate who was struck in the head with a metal water bottle during an alleged bullying incident at a Los Angeles middle school. The victim, 12-year-old Khimberly Zavaleta Chuquipa, died on February 25 after being hospitalized for a brain hemorrhage following the February 17 incident at Reseda Charter High School.

Why it matters

This tragic incident highlights ongoing concerns about bullying and violence in schools, as well as questions about how school officials responded to previous reports of harassment and abuse involving the victim and her sister. The arrest of a juvenile suspect also raises complex legal and ethical questions.

The details

According to authorities, the 12-year-old suspect was arrested on Thursday on suspicion of murder. The Los Angeles County District Attorney's office is investigating the case, but officials have not released the age or gender of the juvenile suspect. Khimberly's family says she was struck in the head with a metal water bottle on February 17 while trying to help her older sister, who was being bullied by a group of students. Khimberly was initially treated and released from a hospital, but later died on February 25 after undergoing emergency brain surgery.

  • On February 17, Khimberly Zavaleta Chuquipa was struck in the head with a metal water bottle during a bullying incident at Reseda Charter High School.
  • On February 25, Khimberly died from the injuries she sustained in the February 17 incident.

The players

Khimberly Zavaleta Chuquipa

A 12-year-old student at Reseda Charter High School who died on February 25, 2026 from injuries sustained in a bullying incident on February 17.

Sharon Zavaleta

Khimberly's older sister, who was allegedly being bullied by a group of students when the incident occurred.

Los Angeles Unified School District

The school district that oversees Reseda Charter High School, which the family has accused of failing to intervene and stop the bullying that led to Khimberly's death.

Robert Glassman

The attorney representing Khimberly's family, who has criticized the school district's handling of the bullying incidents.

12-year-old suspect

A juvenile who has been arrested on suspicion of murder in Khimberly's death.

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What they’re saying

“This arrest is an important step toward accountability, but an arrest alone does not equal justice and does not answer the larger question of how this was allowed to happen in the first place.”

— Robert Glassman, Attorney for Khimberly's family

What’s next

The Los Angeles County District Attorney's office will be responsible for filing charges against the 12-year-old suspect. Khimberly's family has also not ruled out taking legal action against the hospital that initially treated her.

The takeaway

This tragic incident underscores the urgent need for schools to have robust anti-bullying policies and procedures in place, as well as the importance of school officials taking swift and effective action when incidents of harassment and violence are reported. The loss of a young life is devastating, and this case will likely prompt renewed scrutiny of how schools handle bullying and violence.