A tragic incident in Georgia has left a community mourning after a 12-year-old girl died days after collapsing in the street following a fight near her neighborhood school bus stop, authorities said.
The girl, identified as sixth grader Jada West, was involved in a confrontation with another student in Villa Rica, a suburb located about 30 miles west of Atlanta. Police in the area have launched an investigation into the circumstances surrounding her death.
According to Villa Rica police spokesperson Sgt. Spencer Crawford, investigators are currently reviewing available evidence, including cellphone footage recorded by bystanders during the altercation. Officials are also waiting for the results of an autopsy to determine the exact cause of death. Crawford added that police expect to meet with prosecutors later in the week, who will decide whether any criminal charges will be filed.
Authorities say the altercation happened Thursday afternoon at an intersection close to Jada’s home. Both girls attended Mason Creek Middle School.
Video shared on social media by Jada’s aunt appears to show the moments leading up to the fight. In the footage, a school bus can be seen leaving the area more than a minute before the confrontation begins. The two girls are shown standing several feet apart, shouting and exchanging insults while other students gather nearby to watch.
At one point in the video, someone in the crowd can be heard asking, “Who is going to fight you over some noise?”
The footage then shows both girls placing their backpacks on the ground at nearly the same time before walking toward one another. They quickly begin exchanging punches. Within seconds, the two fall to the pavement while grappling. Jada is seen landing on her back and rolling backward over her head and neck.
Moments later, both girls get back to their feet before an adult steps in to break up the fight. The woman can be heard telling Jada to go home. The video ends with Jada picking up her backpack and appearing to walk away from the scene.
What happened after that remains unclear. Police said Jada never made it home.
Crawford explained that officers were later dispatched to the area after receiving a call about a juvenile in cardiac arrest lying in the street.
“When officers arrived, paramedics were already there and were placing her in the ambulance while performing CPR,” Crawford said. “Emergency crews told us an adult who was at the scene had already begun CPR before they arrived.”
Jada was transported to a nearby hospital. On Sunday, her mother, Rashunda McClendon, posted a message on Facebook asking the public to pray for her daughter.
“Please pray for my baby. She’s fighting for her life,” she said in the video.
Later that day, Jada’s aunt, De’Quala McClendon, shared the heartbreaking news that the young girl had passed away.
“Now you got your spiritual crown,” she wrote. “It hurts so so bad but I know you are ok.”
When contacted by a reporter on Wednesday, Jada’s mother declined to comment.
Near the location where the fight occurred, community members placed a small memorial. A sign reading “RIP JADA WEST” was posted in the ground with the message, “Heaven gain an angel.” Flowers and a plastic pinwheel were left nearby in remembrance.
Douglas County District Attorney Dalia Racine confirmed that her office is aware of the ongoing police investigation but said no additional information could be released at this time.
In a statement, the Douglas County School System described Jada as a positive and energetic student.
“Jada was an upbeat, kind, and vibrant student,” the district said, adding that grief counselors were made available to support students and staff following the tragedy.
School officials also emphasized that the fight did not occur on school grounds or during school hours, and there is currently no indication that the incident was connected to any activity on campus.
