Executive Summary
- The LAPD Robbery-Homicide Division is investigating the death of 12-year-old Khimberly Zavaleta as a homicide.
- Family members allege the student died from a brain injury caused by being struck with a water bottle during a school dispute.
- The LAUSD is cooperating with police and providing counseling resources to the Reseda High School community.
- Investigative details are currently restricted due to legal statutes protecting the privacy of juveniles.
RESEDA, LOS ANGELES — The Los Angeles Police Department has initiated a homicide investigation into the death of a 12-year-old student occurring days after an altercation at a school. Khimberly Zavaleta passed away at a hospital on Wednesday, with her family alleging the fatality was caused by a traumatic brain injury sustained when she was struck in the head with a water bottle.
According to the Los Angeles Police Department, the Robbery-Homicide Division, Valley Bureau Section, is leading the inquiry. While the case is formally being treated as a homicide, investigators have not yet publicly confirmed a definitive causal link between the reported altercation and the child’s death. Authorities stated that specific details regarding the incident and potential suspects will remain confidential at this time due to the involvement of juveniles.
The death has prompted a strong community response, with a group of students holding a protest at Reseda High School on Friday in support of Zavaleta. The Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD) released a statement acknowledging the tragedy and confirming their cooperation with law enforcement. “The District remains committed to providing support to students, staff, and families affected by this loss, including counseling services and additional resources on campus,” the district stated, citing privacy laws as the reason for withholding further comment.
Investigative Outlook
The classification of this incident as a homicide investigation signals that authorities are examining the potential for criminal liability regarding the actions that led to the student’s death. In complex cases involving delayed fatalities, the findings of the medical examiner will be critical in establishing the proximate cause of death and linking it to the specific physical trauma reported. Additionally, the involvement of minors invokes strict juvenile justice protocols in California, which prioritize confidentiality and may result in a sealed legal process unlike standard adult criminal proceedings.
It is important to note that all individuals associated with this investigation are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
