Teen stomped to death on soccer field after opponents 'got mad' over goal being scored, family says

An Arizona teen was pummeled to death on a soccer field after his team scored a goal and the opponents "got mad," his family says.

Tumusifu Bazirake, a 19-year-old who was preparing to start college this month, died protecting his brother during the on-field fight earlier this month at Sueno Park in Phoenix, according to an interview the sibling gave this week.

"We scored on them, and they got mad," Jeanpaul Bazirake told local NBC affiliate KPNX. "Beating us, pushing us … He was trying to protect me."

According to Jeanpaul Bazirake, someone from the other team started throwing punches and then "jumped" him with other players from the opposing team. He told KPNX, "That's when my brother jumped in too."

The fight allegedly lasted 20 minutes. The Bazirakes didn't know anyone on the other team.

"I tried to turn around, then he was on the ground, and they were just stepping on him while he's on the ground," Jeanpaul Bazirake said. "Stepping, kicking, punching — all that."

Phoenix police say officers were called to the field around 8 p.m. on Aug. 6 for a call of an unresponsive man, Tumusifu Bazirake, in a field near 43rd Avenue and Hubble Street. "They learned that the 19-year-old was involved in a soccer game when a fight broke out," according to a police statement.

"During the fight, several suspects assaulted the victim before running away," the statement says. "The Phoenix Fire Department responded to the scene and transported the 19-year-old to the hospital in extremely critical condition."

On Thursday, Aug. 13, Tumusifu Bazirake succumbed to his injuries, and a homicide investigation was launched. "The suspects involved in this homicide are still unidentified and outstanding," the Phoenix Police Department said in a case update.

As of Tuesday, police have made no arrests, and no suspects or persons of interest have been publicly identified.