Bernal Middle School Student Killed Fixed

in San Jose, California, occurred in 2012. Eighth-grader Heriberto Reyes was killed in a gang-related attack in a park; he was not involved in gangs and was an innocent victim. Regional Safety Concerns (April 2026)

Safety, support, and next steps

An 11-year-old student, José Gutiérrez , was killed in a hit-and-run. The driver, Zachary Bernal , was sentenced to seven years in prison in June 2025. José was honored posthumously for saving his friend's life by warning him just before the impact. Bernal Middle School Student Killed

As a community, we must also take this opportunity to reflect on how we can work together to prevent such tragedies from occurring in the future. This may involve examining school policies, increasing support for mental health initiatives, and fostering a culture of kindness, empathy, and understanding. in San Jose, California, occurred in 2012