Calif. Teen Died by Suicide After Allegedly Being Bullied for Being Homeless, Dad Says

School officials in California say police are investigating the death by suicide of a student who had allegedly been bullied.

Jose Emiliano Zamora, who was a student at a Santa Clara, Calif., school, died on Nov. 6, at the age of 14, according to an online obituary. 

The Santa Clara Unified School District confirmed the death in a video statement on Facebook a week later on Wednesday, Nov. 13. 

Jose’s father, Jose Bautista, told FOX 4 News that the teenager had started at Santa Clara High just a few months ago. 

A member of the junior varsity football team at his school, Jose was allegedly being bullied for being homeless, Bautista told the outlet. 

“They were spitting on him, hitting him on the back of the helmet,” said Bautista, who reportedly learned about the alleged bullying from other students at the school. 

Bautista and Jose were evicted from their apartment earlier this year, and the teenager was staying at a shelter, per FOX 4 News. The boy was being treated for mental health concerns at the facility, Bautista said. 

The shelter did not immediately respond to PEOPLE’s request for comment. 

“We were bonding more. He was waiting for a place to live instead of the shelter,” the grief-stricken father told FOX 4 News.

Jose’s family has started a GoFundMe to assist with funeral costs, which raised more than $100,000 in a week, with many sharing their sympathy over the alleged bullying.

“Sending love. Use this money however you want,” wrote one donor, adding that they had attempted suicide as a teenager experiencing homelessness while being bullied by their teammates.

“I was bullied by the rich kids at my school when I was a kid. Couldn’t stand by and not donate to your family,” wrote another donor. “I hope that the community outpouring has at least brought you the smallest comfort in this tragic time.”

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In Wednesday’s video statement, Santa Clara Unified School District Superintendent Dr. Gary Waddell said, “To the extent that bullying played a factor [in Jose’s suicide], it is unacceptable. Even one instance is too many.”  

He said there have been some “serious disciplinary action” following a district investigation and that the district is “fully cooperating” with the police probe. 

Santa Clara police did not immediately respond to PEOPLE’s request for comments.

If you or someone you know is considering suicide, please contact the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-TALK (8255), text “STRENGTH” to the Crisis Text Line at 741-741 or go to suicidepreventionlifeline.org.