Pupil, 12, arrested after schoolgirl hit and killed with a metal water bottle

A child has been arrested following the death of a schoolgirl hit by a metal water bottle.

Khimberly Zavaleta Chuquipa, 12, was hit with the metal flask on while trying to protect her older sister from being bullied at Reseda Charter High School in Reseda, Los Angeles on February 17.

She was initially discharged from hospital but was rushed back for emergency brain surgery while under an induced coma.

Despite being given life support, Khimberly was declared dead from her injuries days later on February 25.

A 12-year-old has now been arrested following an inquiry by the Los Angeles Police Department, CBS reported.

The family’s lawyer, Robert Glassman, said in a statement: ‘This arrest is an important step toward accountability, but it does not change the bigger truth: this tragedy was entirely preventable.’
Her mother, Elma, said she had been left feeling ‘very bad, destroyed’.

‘It’s not easy to lose a child.

It’s not easy to see your child dying in a bed’, she said.

A fundraiser raised for Khimberly’s relatives nearly $150,000 before it was taken down.

The family are considering a lawsuit against the hospital which treated Khimberly as well as Los Angeles Unified School District for failing to take action before the alleged bullying unfolded.

Both Khimberly and her sister Sharon were allegedly subject to bullying for several months at the school.

A spokesperson for the school district said it was ‘deeply saddened’ by the incident.

They said in a statement: ‘Our thoughts and condolences are with the student’s family, friends, and the entire school community.

‘The District takes the safety and well-being of our students very seriously.

We are currently cooperating with law enforcement in connection with this incident.’
The school has yet to comment.

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