12-Year-Old Sacto Boy Takes His Own Life After He Was Bullied For Being A Cheerleader

FOLSOM (CBS SF) -- A Sacramento family is mourning the death of a 12-year-old boy who took his own life, this week, because being bullied for joining the cheerleading squad.

Friends of Ronin Shimizu said he was made fun of because he was the only male cheerleader on the Vista Junior Eagles Cheer Team.

Ronin previously attended Folsom Middle School, but stopped and began homeschooling because of the bullying, but friends said, the damage was done.
 
"He was a really great friend," said a friend.

Friends and family gathered around the Shimizu home Thursday night for a quiet candle light vigil.

Those close to him say the boy couldn't take it anymore.

"I didn't see why people would tease him because he was so nice," said a fellow cheerleader.

"I heard that people called him gay because he was a cheerleader," said another.

Daniel Thigpen with the Folsom Cordova School District confirms Shimizu's family did report he was being bullied on more than one occasion, and the incidents were handled. They insist they followed protocol in dealing with the reports.

"Any allegations bullying related to this specific incident, we're certainly reviewing how we responded to those and we'll use that as an opportunity to always take a look at how we respond to future allegations," said Thigpen.

Folsom Cordova School District officials insist they have a comprehensive anti-bullying campaign.