Family of middle school student killed in school bus stop fight speaks out

ATLANTA, Ga. (Atlanta News First) — The family of a 12-year-old girl who died after a fight at a school bus stop is speaking out on Monday.

“Georgia has a bullying problem. Georgia has an accountability problem. And unfortunately Jada will have the beacon of light for the entire state,” said Gerald Griggs, an attorney for the family, on Monday.

Police said the fight happened between two students from Mason Creek Middle School in a neighborhood near the campus.

Family identified the 6th grader who died as Jada West.

On Monday, attorneys provided cell phone video of the fight, that showed the two girls physically fighting for about 25 seconds. In the video, it appears West’s head makes contact with the road during the sparring.

“We can’t go back in time and stop what happened that day,” said Harry Daniels, another attorney representing the family.

In a Facebook post, Jada’s mother said Jada suffered a severe brain injury.

A memorial in honor of Jada sits near the site of the fight along Tyson Road.

The family, alongside their attorneys, held a news conference in Villa Rica, calling on an end to bullying and accountability from school officials.

“Jade West should be here today and we want to find out why she’s not here. If it was from negligence by the school system, bus driver or anybody alike, or intentions that we don’t know, we are currently seeking that information from different channels,” Daniels said.

Attorney Gerald Griggs said the Georgia General Assembly is currently in session and that lawmakers have an opportunity to add legal safeguards against bullying in schools, including mandated reporting to parents.

He challenged lawmakers to “say Jada’s name” and use the tragedy to change the law.

A spokesperson for the Villa Rica Police Department said they are still investigating the death and interviewing those involved in the fight.

Atlanta News First asked the Douglas County District Attorney’s Office if they plan on filing charges against any of those involved. A spokesperson on Monday said they are still investigating an cannot comment further.

STREAM ANF+

The Douglas County School System said the fight was not related to any on-campus activity.

Atlanta News First reached out to DCSS on Monday for reaction to the family’s call for a transparent investigation into bullying. The school district did not respond.