Joanna Ramos, 11, Dies in ICU Hours Following After-School Fight
Update: Joanna Ramos Death a Homicide: Girl Died of Blunt Force Trauma, Says Coroner
Joanna Ramos, one of two 11-year-old girls who planned an after-school fight that ended within a minute, died hours later in an intensive care unit, according to reports.
Ramos died Friday night after fighting with her Willard Elementary School classmate. She left her after-school program for the pre-planned fight in the alley near her Long Beach elementary, according to the Press-Telegraph.
Deputy Police Chief Robert Luna told the Press-Telegraph that no weapons were used in the fight, none of the girl were knocked the ground and they both walked away from the fight.
Ramos' aunt Patricia Catalan told the media that her niece had no visible signs of trauma and that she had returned to the after-school program where she vomited and went home. The girl later told her family she was not feeling well and was taken to the emergency room, had surgery and was listed in critical condition.
Ramos was pronounced dead before 9 p.m. that day, according to the Press-Telegraph.
The Los Angeles County coroner's office is now investigating Ramos' cause of death. Family members of the 11 year old girl and authorities are still confused about the circumstances surrounding the girl's death and are looking for answers.
Police spokeswoman Nancy Pratt told MSNBC on Sunday, that she has never heard of 11-year-old fights like the one Ramos was involved in, especially among girls.
I can't say they never happen but I think everyone was completely caught off-guard by this event, Pratt said, adding that there must be caution in linking the girl's death to the fight before the coroner's report is released.
Police working the case said that no arrests are planned at this time and the other girl has been interviewed.
Police also didn't say what the fight took place. However, friends told the media that the girls were allegedly fighting over a boy.
They were fighting over a boy, Stephanie Guadalupe Soltero, who said she was friends with the victim, told the Press-Telegraph. I told the teacher and, she said she would talk to all the girls on Monday (today).
Long Beach Unified School District Superintendent Chris Steinhauser told the media that no adults at the school were aware of the looming fight.
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