News Summary
The family of Gabriel Palacios, a 13-year-old Coronado Middle School student who tragically took his own life, has filed a lawsuit against the Coronado Unified School District. They claim the district failed to protect him from severe bullying that worsened after a personal video incident. Gabriel struggled with mental health issues, and his family argues that school officials did not provide the necessary support or take proper action against the bullying. They seek not only damages but also policy changes in the district to protect other students.
Coronado, California – The family of a 13-year-old student from Coronado Middle School, Gabriel Palacios, has filed a lawsuit against the Coronado Unified School District following his tragic death by suicide in April 2025. The lawsuit claims that the school district failed to protect Gabriel from severe bullying and harassment that escalated after an incident involving the accidental sharing of a personal video containing nude images of himself on social media.
According to the family’s legal action, the bullying intensified after the video incident, leading to a rapid decline in Gabriel’s mental health. Gabriel was diagnosed with Tourette’s syndrome, ADHD, and OCD, and his parents, Orsolya and Felipe Palacios, allege that the school officials did not take appropriate steps to address the situation, nor did they conduct an investigation into the dissemination of the video.
The lawsuit highlights that Gabriel faced unjust disciplinary actions, including being wrongly accused of bringing a knife to school when he only possessed a bottle opener. Despite repeated concerns voiced by his parents about his emotional well-being, the family states that school administrators overlooked Gabriel’s distress and failed to provide the support he desperately needed.
As his situation worsened, Gabriel attempted to avoid the harassment by retreating to the counselor’s office during lunch. His mother expressed that Gabriel’s confidence had been shattered and his spirit extinguished due to the relentless bullying and the lack of intervention from school staff. The family hopes that their legal efforts will lead to change in school policies regarding bullying, ultimately preventing similar tragedies from occurring in the future.
In response to the lawsuit, the Coronado Unified School District has expressed sadness over Gabriel’s death but has opted not to comment on the specifics of the ongoing litigation. The district has stated that they will defend themselves against the claims made by the Palacios family. Previously, in September 2025, the school board rejected a prior claim submitted by the family, stating that the facts did not support their allegations.
The Palacios family is represented by attorney John Gomez, who emphasizes the need for accountability and reform in the district’s handling of bullying cases. The lawsuit not only seeks damages for the family but aims to implement changes that will ensure other students are protected from bullying in the future.
Bystanders and members of the community are reminded of the importance of reaching out for help if they or someone they know is facing mental health challenges. Various crisis support resources are available for those in need. The legal case involving the Coronado Unified School District is projected to take around 18 months before going to trial.
This heartbreaking situation illustrates the critical need for schools to take proactive measures to safeguard students from bullying and provide necessary support to those who may be struggling with mental health issues.
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Additional Resources
- 10 News
- Wikipedia: Bullying
- NBC San Diego
- Google Search: Coronado Middle School bullying case
- Coronado Times
- Google Scholar: Bullying and mental health
- San Diego Union-Tribune
- 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.
