Family Says 12‑Year‑Old Died 10 Days After Bully Threw Metal Water Bottle at Her Head.H530

Tragic Loss of 12-Year-Old Khimberly Zavaleta: A Life Cut Short After Protecting Her Sister

LOS ANGELES — The Los Angeles Police Department has launched a homicide investigation following the heartbreaking death of 12-year-old Khimberly Zavaleta, a student at Reseda High School.

Khimberly tragically passed away on February 25 after sustaining a severe brain injury when she was hit in the head with a metal water bottle thrown by another student.

Khimberly, who had been in a coma for several days and underwent brain surgery, passed away early Wednesday morning at the hospital.

Her mother, Elma Chuquipa, expressed the unimaginable grief of losing her daughter. “I’m devastated. I’m full of pain, thinking about how I will never see my daughter again,” she said, her words filled with sorrow.

The incident, which took place at Reseda High School, occurred after Khimberly tried to protect her younger sister from alleged bullying.

In a powerful show of support, a group of students held a protest at the school on Friday, demanding justice for Khimberly.

“We’re all sad. Because she was the one who gave all the energy to us, because she was so happy. She was always happy. She was always smiling,” said Dayari Diaz, Khimberly’s close friend who helped organize the protest.

Dayari, also a student at the school, voiced frustration with the school’s response. “We want justice for her. The school is not doing anything,” she said.

The tragic event has sparked outrage among students and the local community, who are demanding accountability.

According to Khimberly’s family, the young girl had severe headaches in the days following the incident and was taken to the emergency room.

However, she was sent home, and the family claims that the seriousness of her condition was not recognized.

Days later, Khimberly collapsed at home due to a brain hemorrhage and was rushed back to the hospital.

The damage was severe, with major blood vessels in her brain rupturing.

Khimberly was immediately transferred to UCLA Children’s Hospital, where she was placed in an induced coma and underwent complex emergency brain surgery.

Despite the family’s hopes and prayers, Khimberly’s heart tragically gave out at 3:30 a.m. on the day of her passing.

The GoFundMe page set up by her family to help cover medical expenses stated, “Her family remained by her side, praying and hoping she would come home, but at 3:30 a.m., her heart gave out.”

The Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD) responded to the tragedy, expressing deep sadness over the loss of the young student.

While the district was unable to share specific details due to confidentiality, a spokesperson said, “The District remains committed to providing support to students, staff, and families affected by this loss, including counseling services and additional resources on campus.”

Khimberly, the youngest of her family, was described as a shining light who brought joy to everyone around her.

“As the baby of our family, she brought a special light and joy into our lives,” her family said.

“She loved her family, music, volleyball, walks with her two beloved dogs, and had many dreams for the future.”

Her passing leaves a deep void, and her family, friends, and community are left to grapple with the loss of a vibrant young girl who had so much potential and so much love to give.

The call for justice continues to echo through the halls of Reseda High School, where students and families demand accountability for the actions that led to this devastating loss.

Khimberly’s memory will forever live on in the hearts of those who knew her, and her tragic death serves as a heartbreaking reminder of the impact of bullying and the need for greater protection for vulnerable students.

The fight for justice is far from over, as her loved ones continue to search for answers and demand accountability for this senseless tragedy.

 Toddler left ‘calling his mother’s name’ after boyfriend fatally shot her during argument, police say.H311

 Toddler left ‘calling his mother’s name’ after boyfriend fatally shot her during argument, police say.

INMAN, SOUTH CAROLINA – What was first described as an accidental shooting inside a quiet Spartanburg County home has now been revealed as a homicide that claimed the life of a young mother and left a toddler calling out for a parent who would never answer again.

Just after 9 p.m. on Tuesday night, deputies with the Spartanburg County Sheriff’s Office responded to a call reporting an accidental discharge of a firearm at a residence on Farm Creek Road in Inman. The initial report suggested that a gun had gone off unintentionally while being handled inside the home, striking a woman.

When deputies arrived, they found 21-year-old Skyy Ernestasjah Logan suffering from a gunshot wound to her torso. Emergency responders rushed her to Spartanburg Regional Medical Center in critical condition. Despite lifesaving efforts by medical staff, Logan was pronounced dead approximately two hours later, around 11 p.m.

What began as a report of negligence quickly unraveled under investigation.

According to law enforcement officials, the initial account provided to deputies did not align with the physical evidence found at the scene. As investigators examined the trajectory of the bullet, the condition of the firearm, and other forensic indicators inside the home, they determined that the explanation of an accidental shooting was inconsistent with the facts.

As a result, the case was escalated from an accidental death investigation to a homicide.

Nineteen-year-old Jayvion Nyrek Rice, who was present in the home at the time of the shooting, was identified as the person who fired the weapon. Rice was arrested shortly after 1 a.m. Wednesday morning and charged with murder, along with possession of a weapon during the commission of a violent crime.

He is currently being held at the Spartanburg County Detention Center without bond.

During Rice’s bond hearing on Wednesday, prosecutors revealed heartbreaking new details about the moments following the shooting. According to the state, Logan’s toddler was sitting on the couch inside the home after the gunshot rang out.

The child was reportedly calling out for his mother.

The image of a small child crying for a parent who lay mortally wounded nearby stunned those in the courtroom. Prosecutors emphasized that the presence of the toddler underscored the gravity of the crime and the irreversible damage caused not only to the victim, but to an innocent child now left without his mother.

The judge denied Rice bond, citing the seriousness of the charges, the risk to public safety, and the strength of the evidence presented by investigators.

Sheriff’s deputies have not released details about the relationship between Rice and Logan, nor have they clarified how long Rice had been at the residence or what events led up to the fatal shooting. Officials say the investigation remains active and ongoing.

Authorities are continuing to analyze forensic evidence, including ballistics testing and scene reconstruction, while also interviewing witnesses and reviewing any available digital or physical records related to the case.

Family members of Skyy Ernestasjah Logan are now left grieving the sudden and violent loss of a young woman whose life had barely begun. At just 21 years old, Logan was a mother raising a small child, with a future that included plans, dreams, and responsibilities that will now never be fulfilled.

Those close to her describe her as devoted to her child, caring, and determined to build a better life. Her death has left a void not only in her family, but in the life of a toddler who will grow up without her presence, voice, or guidance.

Community members in Inman and across Spartanburg County have expressed shock and sorrow over the case, particularly given how quickly the narrative shifted from accident to murder. Many have raised concerns about firearm safety and the devastating consequences that can arise when guns are mishandled or used in moments of conflict.

Law enforcement officials have reiterated the importance of allowing investigators time to complete a thorough and unbiased inquiry. They are urging anyone with information related to the shooting to come forward.

Sgt. Will Ussery of the Spartanburg County Sheriff’s Office is leading the investigation and has asked anyone with relevant information to contact him directly at 864-503-4536 or via email at [email protected].

As the case moves forward through the legal system, Jayvion Nyrek Rice faces the possibility of spending decades behind bars if convicted. Prosecutors have not yet announced whether they will seek additional charges or enhancements related to the presence of a child during the commission of the crime.

For now, Rice remains behind bars, and a young child remains without his mother.

Skyy Ernestasjah Logan’s name is now etched into a growing list of lives lost to gun violence. But to those who loved her, she is more than a case number or a headline. She was a daughter, a mother, and the center of her child’s world.

Her death serves as a painful reminder that violence inside homes can be just as deadly as violence on the streets, and that the ripple effects of a single gunshot can last a lifetime.

As investigators continue their work and the courts prepare for the next phase of proceedings, one truth remains unchanged. A 21-year-old woman is gone. A toddler’s life has been forever altered. And a community is left asking how something reported as an accident ended in a mother’s death.

Anyone with information is urged to contact the Spartanburg County Sheriff’s Office as the search for full accountability and justice continues.