The victim’s brother said the opposing team grew angry after giving up a goal, moments before a confrontation turned deadly.
PHOENIX — Authorities in Arizona are investigating a fatal altercation that erupted during a soccer match in Phoenix, leaving a 19-year-old player who was preparing to start college dead.
According to his brother, emotions on the field intensified after the other team was unable to prevent a goal.
Phoenix police said Tumusifu Bazirake was attacked on Aug. 6 by multiple people who left the area before officers arrived. When police reached the field, the teen was unresponsive.
Phoenix Fire Department personnel rushed Bazirake to a hospital, where he was listed in extremely critical condition.
A week later, investigators were notified that Bazirake had died from his injuries. His body was transferred to the state medical examiner’s office, where an autopsy will determine the official cause of death.
Police are treating the case as a homicide. As of Sunday, officials had not publicly named any suspects or persons of interest, and no arrests had been announced.
Bazirake’s brother, Jeanpaul, who was present at the match, said neither he nor Tumusifu knew the players on the opposing team. He said the situation began to unravel after their team scored.
“Then (they were) beating us, pushing us, cause we scored on them, and they got mad and all that,” he said.
Jeanpaul said he was later punched, and several people jumped him. He said that’s when Tumusifu stepped in to protect him.
“He was trying to protect me because there was so many,” he recalled. “After (an opposing player) threw a punch, I blocked it. Then they just jumped on me, all of them. Then that’s when my brother jumped in, too,” Jeanpaul said.
Jeanpaul said the fight lasted roughly 20 minutes. He said he eventually saw his brother on the ground.
“I tried to turn around, then he was on the ground, and they were just stepping on him while he’s on the ground. Stepping, kicking, punching—all that,” he said.
Jeanpaul said the attackers ran away after Tumusifu stopped responding. The family then called police.
Tumusifu’s family said he had plans for his future. Jeanpaul said his brother wanted to become a firefighter.
Their mother, speaking through a translator, said Tumusifu loved school and wanted to continue his education.
She said he was supposed to begin studying at a community college the following week.
The family is asking for answers while police continue searching for the people involved in the attack. An online fundraiser has been set up to help his family pay for funeral expenses.
