A Houston middle school student died Wednesday morning, just days after she was jumped by three teenage girls, according to authorities and the young girl’s mother.
Kashala Francis, 13, was heading home and only a block away from Attucks Middle School on Thursday, when she was jumped by two teenage girls, according to her mother Mamie Jackson, who spoke to a local ABC affiliate. A third girl joined in, kicking Kashala in the head as she was held to the ground.
Though her face was bruised, Kashala told her mother she was fine, but things quickly took a turn.
Kashala was at a relative’s house on Saturday when Jackson’s niece reportedly noticed her acting delusional, temporarily. On Sunday, Kashala felt weak and told her mother she had a painful headache before lying down.
Jackson didn’t realize that was the last time she’d see Kashala’s eyes open, as her daughter was unconscious before first responders arrived.
Kashala was taken to Texas Children’s Hospital, where she fell into a coma. Doctors quickly uncovered “a large tumor in the back of her head, and she had fluid buildup in her brain,” according to Jackson. The family had no prior knowledge of the tumor.
A statement by Houston Independent School District officials notes they have been made aware of the “off-campus altercation” and are cooperating with the Houston Police Department’s investigation.
Short of an autopsy’s completion, it’s uncertain whether Kashala died of the injuries sustained during the fight or her tumor, or whether it was a combination of the two, according to police. The case is currently being investigated as a homicide, pending an autopsy, according to Victor Senties, a spokesman for the Houston Police Department.
A video of the incident has circulated, in which the attackers are heard laughing.
No arrests have been made at this time, according to Senties.
The Houston Police Department confirmed to The Daily News that it was notified of Kashala’s death around 11 a.m. Wednesday.
In an emailed statement to The News, the school district said it “is deeply saddened to learn of the death of one of our students. We extend our sincere condolences to the student’s family, friends, teachers and classmates.” The statement noted the ongoing investigation, citing the district’s cooperation. The district is offering grief counselors at the middle school.
The school district is not commenting further.
