Man dies after being assaulted at west Phoenix soccer game
Family mourns teen killed after soccer fight
Phoenix Police released photos of individuals who may have information about a fatal assault during a soccer match. FOX 10's Jacob Luthi has the details.
PHOENIX - Police have identified a man who died after a fight broke out during a soccer game in west Phoenix.
What we know:
Just after 8 p.m. on Aug. 6, the Phoenix Police Department was called to 43rd Avenue and McDowell Road for reports of an unresponsive man in a field. Once at the scene, officers learned 19-year-old Tumusifu Bazirake was playing in a soccer game when he was assaulted by several other people during a fight.
Bazirake was taken to a hospital by firefighters in extremely critical condition where he later died.
Dig deeper:
Police say the assault suspects fled the scene before officers arrived.
The department has since released photos of people who they say were in the area when the fight broke out and they "may have information important to this investigation."
(The Phoenix Police Department)
"I know that sometimes people may not always feel comfortable speaking with police or sticking around, so if anyone knows who these people are or have information that can help us find them, we're asking that they give us a call," Phoenix Police Sgt. Chris Berrelleza said. "To locate these people, and identify, we believe it would be very beneficial to the case with whatever information they can provide."
Dig deeper:
Bazirake’s family shared photos with FOX 10, remembering him as a young man with a bright future. They affectionately called him Bahati Tumusifu.
The family says they moved to Arizona from the Congo eight years ago.
Bazirake’s mother, who spoke to FOX 10 through a translator, says her son had recently graduated from high school and was a great student. She says he had planned to attend college and hoped to eventually become a firefighter.
Friends and family say they are holding a candlelight vigil for Bazirake on Saturday, Aug. 22, at 7 p.m. at Sueno Park in Phoenix. The public is invited to attend.
Nineteen-year-old Tumusifu Bazirake died after being assaulted during a soccer game in west Phoenix, and police are searching for suspects.
What you can do:
"If you are one of these individuals or can help identify them, please contact the Phoenix Police Department or call Silent Witness at 480-WITNESS/ 480-TESTIGO (Spanish)," police said.
A GoFundMe has also been established to help the family with expenses.
Map of where the fight happened:
The Source: The Phoenix Police Department