Phoenix teen fatally beaten during soccer match brawl

Tumusifu Bazirake, 19, died following a fatal assault during a neighborhood soccer match at Sueno Park in Phoenix on August 6. According to the Phoenix Police Department, the incident occurred around 8 p.m. when a group of strangers attacked Bazirake and his brother after the game.

Bazirake’s brother, Jeanpaul, stated that the opposing players became angry after their team lost the match. Jeanpaul reported that he was initially attacked, prompting Bazirake to step in to shield him. The brawl lasted approximately 20 minutes, during which Bazirake was beaten unconscious and stepped on by the attackers.

The suspects fled the scene after Bazirake became unresponsive. Although fire officials rushed him to a local hospital in extremely critical condition, he later died from his injuries. Bazirake was scheduled to begin college in a few days.