Police in Georgia are investigating the death of a 12-year-old girl who collapsed in the street days after a fight near a school bus stop.
Jada West, a sixth grader, died days after the incident in Villa Rica, a suburb approximately 30 miles (48 kilometres) west of Atlanta. Her death is now the subject of a police inquiry.
Sgt Spencer Crawford, a police spokesman, confirmed on Wednesday that officers are examining evidence, including mobile phone footage of the altercation. They are also awaiting the results of an autopsy. Police are scheduled to meet with prosecutors later this week, who will determine if charges are to be filed.
The confrontation, involving Jada and another student, occurred last Thursday afternoon at an intersection close to Jada's home, according to Sgt Crawford.
Footage shared on social media depicts a school bus departing the scene over 90 seconds before any physical contact. The video shows Jada and another girl shouting and taunting one another from a distance, as a group of classmates observe.
Someone can be heard saying, “Who is going to fight you over some noise?”
The video shows both girls putting down their backpacks at roughly the same time. They approach each other and then begin throwing punches. Within seconds, they fall to the pavement, clutching each other, with Jada landing on her back and rolling backward feet-first over her head and neck.
Both girls stand up before a woman intervenes, and the adult can be heard telling Jada to go home. The video shows Jada picking up her backpack and appearing to walk away when the clip ends.
It's unclear what happened next, but Jada didn't make it home. Crawford said police were dispatched on a call of “a young juvenile who was in cardiac arrest laying in the street.”
“When we actually arrived, paramedics were on the scene, and they were already loading her up and performing CPR,” Crawford said. "Paramedics told us there was an adult on the scene performing CPR when they arrived.”
Jada was taken to a hospital. On Sunday, her mother, Rashunda McClendon, posted a video to Facebook asking people to “please pray for my baby. She's fighting for her life.”
Jada's aunt, De'Quala McClendon, later announced on Facebook on Sunday that her niece had died.
“Now you got your spiritual crown,” she wrote, “it hurts so so bad but I know you are ok.”
Rashunda McClendon declined to speak with an Associated Press reporter who came to her home on Wednesday.
A paper sign staked into the ground near the scene of the fight said, “RIP JADA WEST,” and bore the message: “Heaven gain an angel.” A bouquet and a plastic pinwheel were left beside it.
Douglas County District Attorney Dalia Racine said in a statement that her office is aware of the police investigation into Jada's death but gave no further comment.
The Douglas County School System, in a statement, described Jada as “an upbeat, kind, and vibrant student.” It said counselors were made available at the school to speak with students and staff.
“This incident did not occur on school property or during school hours, and there is nothing to indicate that this is related to any on-campus activity,” the school district's statement said.
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