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Questions Surround Tragic Death Of Sixth Grade Student At Colton School

COLTON (CBSLA.com) — There are questions Wednesday about how a sixth grade student died at Grant Elementary School in Colton.

Dominic Gallegos, 12, died in P.E. class Tuesday afternoon, but there are conflicting reports as to how he died.

Friends told Dominic's father that he tripped while playing soccer and fell. While he was on the ground, Dominic's friends said a boy known as a school bully stepped on his chest repeatedly, then shook him when Dominic stopped breathing.

After the bell signaling the end of P.E. rang, a teacher reportedly made his way to Dominic and started CPR before the boy was taken to a hospital by paramedics, friends told Dominic's father. Dominic was later pronounced dead.

"This should not happen, this shouldn't have happened," Dominic's father, Joel Gallegos, said tearfully. "If there was someone watching those kids, I don't think that kid would have done that. And from what I hear, that kid – he's bad."

District officials say there was no sort of trauma that happened on the field, and that the students were being supervised when the incident happened.

Wednesday evening, Dominic's family held a vigil in his honor. Hundreds came to pray.

CBS2's Crystal Cruz attended the vigil.

"Dominic touched a lot of hearts," said his father, "he was a good boy. I wish he was here to be in the center of this attention but he is with the Lord now," he told Cruz.

Family friend Lucy Nives cames to pay her respects.

"For the loss of your son," she said, "you guys are a beautiful family. A great family, what a loss."

Dominic was remembered for his contagious smile and his love of all things sports.

On Wednesday evening, a family friend wrote a statement to thank the public for all the support the family has been shown.

"The Gallegos family would like to express their sincerest gratitude for the outpouring of support they have received over the course of the past 24 hours. While devastated and still reeling with the loss of their precious child, they find relief in their faith in the Lord and through the support of friends and family members Inland and throughout the United States. At this time the family would like to divert any and all future questions to their family representative and friend, Carlos Juarez, Esq. They are further hopeful the various media outlets will respect their wishes and privacy at this time of grief."

Police are investigating the boy's death including the reports about the bully.

A GoFundMe account was set up to help Dominic's family pay for funeral expenses. Click here for more information.

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