The community of Douglas County is mourning the loss of a 12-year-old student from Mason Creek Middle School who died Sunday following injuries sustained in a fight after getting off her school bus. The young girl, identified by her family as Jada West, had been hospitalized in intensive care with what her mother described as a serious brain injury before passing away on March 8.

Authorities say the altercation occurred off campus shortly after West disembarked from the school bus. Relatives allege the incident stemmed from ongoing bullying involving another student. Police have not released an official cause of death, and no charges had been announced as of Monday. The Villa Rica Police Department is investigating the case, which remains open.

The Douglas County School System released a statement expressing deep sorrow over West’s death, emphasizing that the incident did not occur on school property or during school hours. The district offered condolences to her family and loved ones while noting that the matter falls under the jurisdiction of local law enforcement.

To support students and staff grieving the tragedy, the school district has deployed a crisis team of psychologists and counselors at Mason Creek Middle School. Teachers, administrators, and classmates are offering emotional support to students while navigating the shock of losing a member of their school community.

Social media tributes have poured in from friends and community members remembering West as a bright, spirited, and kind girl whose life was cut tragically short. Many highlighted her warmth, energy, and the impact she had on those around her in such a short time.

Police are urging anyone with information or video footage of the altercation to come forward to aid in the investigation. Authorities are working to determine what led to the deadly encounter and are asking the public’s help in piecing together the events that resulted in this heartbreaking loss for the Mason Creek Middle School community.