Girl's Death Ruled a Homicide

The death of a 10-year-old girl who collapsed following a fight with another girl was classified as a homicide by the coroner's office on Monday. 

Coroner's Assistant Chief Ed Winter said autopsy results determined that on Friday afternoon was caused by "blunt force trauma to the head as the result of an altercation,'' resulting in the homicide classification.

"Our hearts go out to the family and friends of the student during this difficult time,'' a letter from principal Kevin Maddox reads. "Our main focus throughout this week will be taking care of all of Willard's students. In addition to our own school counselor and school psychologist, we will have school district staff members here throughout the week to work directly with students who demonstrate a need for support.''

Four grief counselors were on the Willard Elementary School campus Monday to help students deal with the death, which occurred following an .

"The most intensive support was needed at the fifth grade level," said LBUSD spokesman Chris Eftychiou. "But towards the end of the day, they were able to start getting back to their regular learning schedule."

Eftychiou said that grief counselors met with teachers and administrators Monday morning and provided advice regarding support for students.

"For the most part, the younger kids weathered everything a little better, perhaps better than most of the adults," Eftychiou said. "It was a very somber staff meeting as u can imagine."

The Willard Elementary student was declared dead close to 9 p.m. on Friday after a family member brought her to a hospital at 5:50 p.m., Long Beach police said. A student in the same after-school program as Joanna told ABC7 the girls were fighting over a boy.

The youngster was unconscious and not breathing when she arrived in an emergency room, police said.

"After school, the girls and approximately seven onlookers walked to a nearby alley to engage in a pre-planned fight,'' Long Beach police Deputy Chief Robert Luna said. "We believe the fight lasted about one minute, did not involve any weapons and we believe nobody was knocked to the ground. Once the fight was over, both girls left the location and went their separate ways.''

The fight apparently occurred in an alley near the roughly 800-student Willard campus at 1055 Freeman Ave.

Police have questioned the classmate who fought with Joanna -- she is 11 years old -- and several witnesses, Luna said.

"At this point, no arrests have been made,'' he said. "Detectives have spoken with family members and friends of both girls, and no one has alleged or provided any information that the decedent was being bullied.''

--with reports from CNS