Highlights

Tumusifu Bazirake, a 19-year-old man, died Aug. 13 from injuries sustained when multiple attackers beat him during a soccer game at Sueno Park, near 43rd Avenue and McDowell Road in the Maryvale neighborhood of Phoenix, according to Arizona's Family. Phoenix police are now investigating the case as a homicide.

The attack occurred just after 8 p.m. on Aug. 6. First responders arrived after receiving reports of an unconscious man in a field and found Bazirake had been playing soccer when a fight broke out. Police said multiple people attacked him and fled before officers arrived. He was transported to a hospital in extremely critical condition and died a week later. The case was also reported by ABC15 and KTAR.

The Maricopa County Office of the Medical Examiner will perform an autopsy to determine the official cause of death. As of Saturday, no arrests have been made and detectives have not identified any suspects. Fences were placed blocking the goals on the soccer field Saturday afternoon, and the game was moved across the parking lot from its usual location.

Bazirake's family has started a GoFundMe campaign to help cover medical and funeral expenses. Phoenix PD is asking anyone with information to contact detectives or leave an anonymous tip with Silent Witness at 480-WITNESS (480-948-6377), or 480-TESTIGO (480-837-8446) for Spanish speakers.

Sources

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  1. AZ Family (3TV/CBS5) retrieved 16/08/2026 04:55

Authored by The Scottsdale Signal. Drafted by AI from primary-source material under our beat-specific editorial guides; reviewed by humans before publish under our five-gate process. Sources retrieved at 16/08/2026 04:55. Every claim traces to a source.