Overview
- LAPD arrested a juvenile on suspicion of murder Thursday, with the Los Angeles County district attorney to decide on charges.
- The family says 12-year-old Khimberly Zavaleta Chuquipa was struck in the head with a metal water bottle during a Feb. 17 hallway confrontation at Reseda Charter High School as she tried to shield her sister from bullies.
- She was evaluated and released from Valley Presbyterian Hospital that day, suffered a brain hemorrhage three days later, underwent emergency surgery at UCLA Mattel Children’s Hospital, and died on Feb. 25.
- Her family filed a wrongful-death claim in March against the Los Angeles Unified School District, alleging ignored bullying reports and poor supervision, and their attorneys cite hallway video as key evidence.
- Police and the district have released few details because both parties are minors, and the arrest has sharpened scrutiny of school safety practices and the initial medical response.