Bullied California middle school student, 13, dies from injuries sustained a week earlier when he was sucker-punched in the head by two honors students and hit a concrete pillar headfirst when he fell

• California middle school student Diego, 13, passed away Tuesday night
• He died as a result of the injuries he sustained after he was attacked by two classmates at Landmark Middle School in Moreno Valley on September 16
• Cellphone video of the fight shows the him punched in the face and hitting a concrete pillar headfirst when he fell backwards
• ‘Rigorous medical intervention and treatment efforts at an area hospital were unsuccessful,’  the Moreno Valley Sheriff’s Office said
• Two 13-year-old boys were arrested in connection to the assault 

A 13-year-old California boy has died, just a week after he was sucker-punched in the head by bullies at his school.

The child, identified only by his first name Diego, was pronounced clinically dead on Tuesday night as a result of the devastating injuries he sustained when he was attacked by peers on September 16. 

Cellphone video of that harrowing fight at Landmark Middle School in Moreno Valley shows two students viciously attacking Diego.  

Diego was hit by one student in the face then punched in the side of the head by another. In the impact Diego fell backwards and hit his head against a concrete pillar. 

A California middle school student named Diego, 13, passed away Tuesday night, succumbing to the injuries he sustained when he was attacked and punched in the head by two peers on September 16

Cellphone video of that harrowing fight at Landmark Middle School in Moreno Valley shows two students viciously attacking Diego. Diego was hit by one student in the face then punched in the side of the head by another. In the impact he fell backwards and hit his head against a concrete pillar

The Moreno Valley Sheriff’s Office announced Diego’s death on Wednesday. 

‘The Riverside County Sheriff’s Department is saddened to share the 13-year-old victim from Landmark Middle School was pronounced clinically dead last night as a result of injuries sustained in the attack on Monday, September 16, 2019,’ the announcement said. 

‘Rigorous medical intervention and treatment efforts at an area hospital were unsuccessful,’ the post added. 

Diego’s family plans to donate his organs ‘to transform this tragedy into the gift of life for another child’.  

Two suspects – both 13-years-old boys – have been arrested for the assault that led to his death. They’re currently in custody at Riverside County Juvenile Hall facing prosecution. 

Deputies were called to the school at about 1.10pm on September 16 and Diego was rushed to the hospital in critical condition.

The incident has sparked outrage in the community, particularly among parents over the school’s handling of bullying among students. 

The school administrators said the two students arrested for the assault were honors students. To be in the honor student program students weren’t allowed to have behavior problems like bullying.

Classmates of Diego told KTLA that he was previously bullied including on social media. Students say that violence is an ongoing problem at the school. 

‘It’s really tough because there’s so many fights here, and they don’t do anything about it,’ student Crystal Rodriguez said. ‘The security’s all over the school, but they take forever to come.’ 

‘They don’t do anything about,’ outraged parent Jorge Quintero said, adding his own daughter was bullied.

One law enforcement official said there were no red flags as to why Diego was bullied and attacked. 

The school district has said it hired behavior specialists and will work more with mental health experts and services this year in light of the incident. Crisis counselors are also available for students and staff.

Anyone with further information regarding this incident is encouraged to contact Investigator Joshua Manjarrez at 951-955-2777, assigned to the Central Homicide Unit or Investigator John Tometich at 951-486-6700, assigned to the Moreno Valley Sheriff’s Station Investigation Bureau. 

Source: Read Full Article