The Los Angeles police are investigating the death of a girl who attended Reseda High School as a homicide, a spokesman said on Saturday, days after a family said a 12-year-old girl who was a student there had died after she was hit in the head with a water bottle.
The spokesman for the Los Angeles Police Department declined to release any details on the child or the circumstances, citing the involvement of juveniles in the case. The girl’s identity had not been confirmed by police and school officials, and the medical examiner’s office could not be reached on Saturday.
The girl struck by a bottle was at the school when she was hurt earlier this month, said her uncle, Guy Gazit, 52. She died early Wednesday morning, he said. The family characterized the episode as bullying, and her uncle said more should be done to stop that behavior.
The Los Angeles Unified School District, with which the school is affiliated, is cooperating with police, according to a statement provided by the district.
“The Los Angeles Unified School District is deeply saddened by the death of a Reseda High School student,” the statement said. “Our thoughts and condolences are with the student’s family, friends, and the entire school community.”
The school, a charter in the San Fernando Valley section of Los Angeles, includes grades six through 12 and several magnet programs for students interested in science, arts and media, or a career in law enforcement, according to its website.
After the episode in the school, the girl complained of headaches and her family took her to see a doctor, who said she was fine, according to Mr. Gazit, a freelance animator and filmmaker.
Last Saturday, the family gathered and was playing games, Mr. Gazit said. His niece told him that she wanted to learn French and he helped her download Duolingo, a language-learning app. Later that night, she had a seizure and was rushed to the hospital, he said.
The girl was rushed into emergency brain surgery and was in a coma for several days, Mr. Gazit said.
Mr. Gazit said his niece was “inquisitive,” and played volleyball and the violin at the school. He said she was also mischievous, pulling pranks on family members. “There’s a lot of things to miss about her,” he said.
Rylee Kirk reports on breaking news, trending topics and major developing stories for The Times.
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