12-year-old Jada West passes away following a school bus altercation in an Atlanta neighborhood

Tragic Incident in Suburban Atlanta

A 12-year-old girl lost her life on Sunday following a violent altercation as students disembarked from a school bus in suburban Atlanta.

The family shared video footage of the incident that occurred in Villa Rica on Thursday, which went viral. The victim, identified as Jada West, was reportedly a target of bullying since her transfer to the school.

In the video, a group of teenagers was seen arguing before a physical fight broke out, escalating quickly between two girls. One girl was thrown to the ground, and a loud noise is audible in the background. Many children can be heard in the video, some chanting for the fight to continue while others shouted for them to stop.

According to her family, after the fight, West seemed to walk away but then collapsed and required hospitalization. Reports indicate that she had suffered a seizure and cardiac arrest in the days prior to her death.

“My niece’s heart stopped beating before she even got home,” her aunt, Dequala McClendon, recounted in a Facebook post. “She was on the ground. She wasn’t breathing,” she recalled rushing to the scene.

Local police confirmed that two middle school students from Mason Creek Middle School were involved in the fight. They are currently reviewing the video evidence.

Authorities stated that no charges have been filed yet and that they are collaborating with the Douglas County District Attorney’s Office.

West’s family had noted that bullying had been an ongoing issue since her recent school transfer. While it’s unclear what instigated the fight, they mentioned the altercation began on school grounds and continued on the bus.

There are questions regarding why the other student involved was allowed to ride the bus, considering they do not reside in the same area. The family is seeking justice for West, emphasizing the need for accountability.

“It’s not right for this girl and other children to be able to go to school,” West’s aunt stressed. “My niece is no longer here. My niece was in the hospital with a tube in her throat.”

The school released a statement reflecting on West’s character, describing her as a “bubbly, kind and active student.” They expressed their deep sorrow over her passing, extending prayers to her family during this challenging time.

They emphasized that since the incident occurred off-campus, it falls under police jurisdiction, stating, “This incident did not occur on school grounds or during school hours, and there is no indication that this is related to on-campus activity.” The investigation will therefore be conducted by the Villarrica Police Department.