This tragic school incident unfolded at Reseda High School in Los Angeles, California, on February 17, 2026. Khimberly Zavaleta Chuquipa, 12, died February 25 after brain surgery for injuries from a metal water bottle allegedly thrown at her head by another student (now arrested for murder on April 2).
What Happened
Khimberly intervened to shield her sister from bullies when struck. She endured headaches; hospital initially sent family home. Days later, she collapsed from a ruptured brain vessel hemorrhage, entered an induced coma, underwent surgery at UCLA Children’s Hospital, but succumbed at 3:30 a.m.
Legal Actions
LAPD investigates as homicide; juvenile arrested Thursday. Family sued LAUSD in March, alleging ignored prior bullying of sister—”school didn’t step in when Khimberly did.” Attorney Robert Glassman demands systemic probe: What adults knew, why no intervention.
LAUSD mourns, cooperates with police, prioritizes safety but shares no details for confidentiality.
Unforgivable failure on bullying oversight—schools must act on warnings to prevent this.
