The recent suicide of a Santa Clara teen has left many reeling, trying to untangle the circumstances that led to his death.
Last week, 14-year-old Jose Zamora took his own life. Since then, school officials and police have been trying to get to the bottom of the boy’s death. Zamora’s father, Jose Bautista, has claimed his son’s teammates on the football team bullied him for being homeless and motherless, spitting on him and hitting his helmet.
After being evicted from their apartment earlier this year, the boy and his father were staying at the Bill Wilson Center, 3490 The Alameda, in Santa Clara. Zamora has only been a freshman at Santa Clara High School for a few months prior to his death. His father has said Zamora was struggling with mental health issues.
Pilar Furlong, a spokesperson for the Bill Wilson Center, said the organization is “aware of the situation and are cooperating with the investigation currently underway.” A followup email attempting to get in contact with Baustista went unanswered.
In a statement, Dr. Gary Waddell, Santa Clara Unified School District (SCUSD) superintendent, wrote that the district has received reports of bullying at Santa Clara High School and has started an investigation, adding that SCUSD “takes such allegations seriously.”
Toward that end, “administrators have already taken initial actions in response,” he wrote, but the statement does not detail what those actions are.
“The health and safety of our students are our primary concern, so SCUSD offers multiple systems of support to you, your children, and their friends to ensure the physical, social, emotional, and academic well-being of our students,” Dr. Waddell wrote.
SCUSD has “compassionate, professionally-trained” teachers, mental health counselors, psychologists, social workers and administrators, Dr. Waddell wrote.
Additionally, the district’s Mental Health and Wellness Resources webpage contains information to help families. Anyone needing immediate assistance should call the three-digit National Suicide Prevention Lifeline 9-8-8, or the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 800-273-TALK (8255) or text “START” to 741741.
SCUSD also offers students a 24/7 virtual counseling service called To Be Honest.
The Santa Clara Police Department issued a news release on Friday, Nov. 15. The department says it is an “open and active” investigation and detectives are reviewing the facts and circumstances to “help provide a complete picture of this tragic event.”
This includes reviewing all factors, including bullying.
Bautista has started a fundraiser to pay for the cost of Zamora’s funeral.
