A young person in Santa Clara, California, took his personal life after being bullied by different college students for being homeless, his father stated.
Chatting with KTVU, José Bautista, father of 14-year-old José Zamora, stated his son died final Tuesday after being taunted by college students, together with these on his junior varsity soccer workforce.
“They spit on him and hit him on the again of his helmet,” Bautista advised KTVU, including that different college students had advised him that his son's teammates at Santa Clara Excessive College had been harassing him for being homeless. and never having a mom.
“I miss listening to him, seeing him, I miss choosing him up,” Bautista advised the outlet, including that his son had simply began highschool in August as a freshman and Bautista would choose him up after soccer observe. “He was attempting to make me glad… He was attempting to be a greater child,” he stated.
In keeping with Bautista, different soccer gamers found that his son was dwelling on the Invoice Wilson Heart, a nonprofit shelter that helps youth going through points similar to homelessness.
Bautista advised KTVU that he and his son had been left homeless after they had been evicted from their house earlier this yr and that his son was being handled on the facility for psychological well being points.
“We had been coming collectively extra. I used to be ready for a spot to dwell as a substitute of the shelter,” Bautista advised the outlet, including that he hoped to discover a new house earlier than the vacations.
Following Zamora's demise, Santa Clara police issued an announcement on Friday, saying they’re at the moment investigating the tragedy, including: “We perceive that the lack of a beloved one is a tragic occasion and we encourage anybody who could also be struggling to hunt assist.” which can embody suicide prevention hotlines or psychological well being professionals.”
Chatting with Silicon Valley Voice, a spokesperson for the Invoice Wilson Heart stated the group is “conscious of the state of affairs and is cooperating with the investigation at the moment underway.”
In the meantime, Gary Waddell, superintendent of the Santa Clara faculty district, advised KTVU that “directors have already taken preliminary steps in response.”
“We on no account condone bullying, harassment or retaliation of any form and take such allegations significantly. “We try to supply as a lot information as doable to the neighborhood whereas preserving our obligation to guard the privateness and confidentiality of each college students and households,” Waddell added.
Bautista, who held a vigil for his son at Santa Clara Excessive College on Friday, advised KTVU that he desires to share his son's story publicly as a result of “I simply don't need this to occur to different individuals prefer it occurred to me.”
Together with different relations, Bautista has created an internet fundraiser to assist along with his son's funeral prices, saying: “On this troublesome time of unhappiness, after the lack of our beloved son, we thank the various, many individuals who come ahead to assist. us. Lots of you could have requested us how one can assist. As you understand, along with the ache of the loss, we even have bills to offer José his closing relaxation… Thanks for all of the assist you could have given us.”
As of Saturday afternoon, the fundraiser had raised almost $144,000 from greater than three,700 donors, surpassing its purpose of $110,000.