Nationwide — Jada West, a 12-year-old African American girl from Winston, Georgia, died after getting into a fight with another student near her home. The middle schooler suffered a serious brain injury and could not be saved despite being rushed to the hospital.
According to WSB-TV, the fight happened on Friday after Jada got off the school bus from Mason Creek Middle School. Cellphone video shows her arguing with a group of kids before she and another girl started fighting. During the scuffle, Jada fell hard and lost consciousness.
A friend ran to tell Jada’s mother, Rashunda McClendon. “I got in the car and drove up there, and she was on the ground. She wasn’t breathing,” McClendon recalled. Jada was quickly taken to Tanner Medical Center, where she experienced seizures and later died from cardiac failure caused by the brain injury.
Jada’s family described her as kind and loving. They said she was new to the area and had past disputes with other students, but they allegedly don’t know what triggered the fight. Her family believes bullying played a role and is calling for justice.
Villa Rica police are reviewing cellphone footage to decide if charges are warranted and will forward their findings to the district attorney. The Douglas County School System said the fight occurred off school property and outside school hours. They offered counseling to students and staff affected by the tragedy.
Mourning her daughter, Jada’s mother urged an end to violence. “It’s gotta stop. It must stop. Violence has to stop,” she said, remembering the daughter she lost far too soon.