California boy dies after possible bullying attack at middle school, police say

MORENO VALLEY, Calif. — A Southern California boy has died just days after authorities said he was punched in a possible bullying attack at his middle school.

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According to the Riverside County Sheriff's Department, 13-year-old Diego, whose last name was not released, died Tuesday after "rigorous medical intervention and treatment efforts at an area hospital were unsuccessful" following the Sept. 16 attack at Landmark Middle School in Moreno Valley.

Deputies arrested two fellow students, also 13, on assault charges in the incident, the Los Angeles Times reported. It was not immediately clear whether those charges would be upgraded.

Cellphone video of the fight appears to show two boys striking Diego, whose head hit a pillar, the Times reported.

Hundreds of mourners gathered at the school Wednesday night to pay tribute to Diego and call for the school district to ramp up its efforts to prevent bullying, according to KCBS-TV.

Moreno Valley Unified School District Superintendent Martinrex Kedziora briefly spoke to attendees, saying, "We're here tonight to work with the community to support them," the news station reported. His remarks were met with angry shouting and chants of "Diego!"

The Sheriff's Department said Wednesday that family members will be donating Diego's organs to provide "the gift of life for other children."

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