After two students were arrested following a fight at a Southern California middle school, the 13-year-old boy left in critical condition died Wednesday, authorities said.
Riverside County Sheriff’s Department said the 13-year-old, who had suffered severe injuries in the fight Monday, Sept. 13, was pronounced clinically dead 12 days later.
Despite hospital staff working to save the boy, identified by authorities as just Diego, he did not survive, and his family was set to donate his organs in an attempt to transform tragedy into a gift for another child, the Facebook post read.
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The two students involved in the fight remained in custody at Riverside County Juvenile Hall. They were to face assault charges, authorities said.
The fight took place on campus at Landmark Middle School in the 15200 block of Legendary Drive around 1 p.m., Riverside County sheriff’s said.
Authorities did not reveal additional details about how the fight occurred, or what led to it.
The students were arrested on suspicion of assault likely to produce great bodily injury.
“It is with extremely heavy hearts that we inform you that Diego, the student involved in the incident at Landmark Middle School on Monday, September 16th, has passed away. Our deepest condolences go out to his family, friends and school community as they cope with this devastating loss,” Moreno Valley Unified School District officials said in a statement.
Principal Scott Walker is joined by @BullyStop360 this morning to host anti-bullying assemblies for @LMMSMV students. Students are engaging w vital lessons about what bullying means, what it looks like, how to be an UPSTANDER not a bystander, & how they can report it to get help. pic.twitter.com/ITuVvYFAvE
— Moreno Valley USD (@MorenoValleyUSD) September 25, 2019
The district also said it will provide additional counselors and support personnel for students, employees, or family to help cope.
Anyone with information on the case was encouraged to contact Investigator Joshua Manjarrez at 951-955-2777 or Investigator John Tometich at 951-486-6700.
A 7 p.m. candlelight vigil was planned to honor Diego Wednesday night in front of Landmark Middle School.
