News Summary
The parents of 13-year-old Gabriel Palacios are suing the Coronado Unified School District, claiming negligence and bullying led to their son’s suicide. Gabriel, who struggled with Tourette’s syndrome, faced increasing harassment, particularly after a social media incident. Despite multiple complaints, school officials allegedly failed to address the bullying, contributing to Gabriel’s deteriorating mental health. The lawsuit seeks damages for the family’s emotional distress and highlights the urgent need for schools to better protect vulnerable students.
Coronado, California – The parents of 13-year-old Gabriel Palacios have filed a lawsuit against the Coronado Unified School District (CUSD) following their son’s tragic death by suicide in April 2025. The lawsuit claims that negligence and bullying led to a hostile environment for Gabriel, ultimately resulting in his untimely death.
Gabriel Palacios, a student at Coronado Middle School, was diagnosed with Tourette’s syndrome and exhibited neurodivergent behaviors, making him vulnerable to bullying. The harassment he faced reportedly intensified after an incident in February 2025 when Gabriel accidentally posted a photo of himself on social media while seeking medical advice. A fellow student allegedly saved and circulated the image, exacerbating the bullying and leading to increased aggression from other students.
According to the lawsuit, the bullying began at the start of the school year and escalated significantly following the Snapchat incident. Gabriel’s family reported the ongoing harassment to school officials and local law enforcement, but they allege that the CUSD failed to take appropriate action to address the issue. They claim that the continued victimization made Gabriel feel unsafe, prompting him to seek refuge in the school’s counselor’s office at times.
The family’s concerns were reportedly dismissed by school administrators, despite multiple complaints. By March 2025, Gabriel’s mental health had reportedly deteriorated. The family sought meetings with school officials to discuss their son’s struggles but felt that their concerns were not acknowledged adequately. On April 10, 2025, Gabriel attended school without the aide designated in his Individualized Education Plan (IEP), which they allege was another example of negligence on the part of the district.
On the night of April 10, Gabriel tragically died by suicide at home. The family’s lawsuit seeks damages for emotional distress, loss of companionship, and statutory damages related to privacy violations and negligence. CUSD has not publicly commented on the lawsuit, but officials have expressed their sadness over Gabriel’s passing and extended their condolences to the family.
The family’s attorney criticized CUSD for failing to provide adequate protection for Gabriel, especially in light of the numerous warnings and complaints about the harassment he faced. In previous statements, school officials have claimed that the allegations presented in the lawsuit stem from misinformation and that they plan to defend themselves against these claims.
Gabriel’s situation is further complicated by his history of being bullied due to his neurodivergent conditions. His family had even considered transferring him to a private school to escape the bullying, which they described as particularly aggressive following the Snapchat incident. Students reportedly mocked and discussed the incident openly, while school officials allegedly failed to conduct a thorough investigation into the distribution of the inappropriate image.
The lawsuit also highlights instances of unfair discipline, including a suspension related to an unfounded claim that Gabriel brought a weapon (a bottle opener) to school. This compounded the family’s concerns about the district’s failure to create a safe and supportive educational environment for their son.
Overall, the lawsuit contends that Gabriel’s suicide was a preventable tragedy directly linked to ongoing bullying and negligence by the Coronado Unified School District. As this case unfolds, it underscores the urgent need for schools to take bullying seriously and implement effective measures to protect vulnerable students.
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Additional Resources
- NBC San Diego
- Wikipedia: Bullying
- San Diego Union-Tribune
- Google Search: bullying in schools
- CBS 8
- Google Scholar: bullying and mental health
- Times of San Diego
- Encyclopedia Britannica: school bullying
Author: STAFF HERE CORONADO
The Coronado Staff Writer represents the experienced team at HERECoronado.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Coronado, San Diego County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as the Coronado Island Film Festival, productions at Lamb’s Players Theatre, community workshops at John D. Spreckels Center, and iconic celebrations at Hotel del Coronado. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Coronado Chamber of Commerce and Visit Coronado, plus leading businesses in hospitality, dining, and tourism that drive the local economy. As part of the broader HERE network, including HERESanDiego.com, HEREHuntingtonBeach.com, HERELongBeach.com, and HERELosAngeles.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Southern California's dynamic landscape.
