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A 13-year-old basketball player in California is reportedly being investigated by police. Footage reportedly shows the teen stomping on an opponent’s head during a recent game.
According to the New York Post, the Tumakbo United and Payton’s Place youth basketball teams were facing off at the College of Alameda on Sunday, July 21.
In footage obtained by TMZ, the victim is seen catching a pass from his Tumakbo teammate. His age has not been publicly identified.
An opponent on the Payton’s Place team is then seen knocking him to the ground. He appears to be attempting to steal the basketball. A scuffle then ensues as the 13-year-old Payton’s Place member walks over to the Tumakbo player, lifts his leg, and stomps on the boy.
In response, multiple players, the referee, and a man who appeared to be a coach swarmed the court to remove the 13-year-old.
According to the outlet, the victim’s mother, Eva Guingab, spoke with reporters after the incident.
“He was down on the floor, and this kid just came and just stomped on him and on his head,” Guingab reportedly explained. “You could clearly see the size of his shoe on his face. My son suffered a concussion for the first time he played basketball.”
Furthermore, the outlet obtained a photo of the boy’s side profile, showing an “apparent shoe mark running from his neck up to the top of his head.” Guingab has also told reports that her son “is in concussion protocol” and experiencing headaches.
“I think everyone was just in shock,” Michael Tolentino, the Tumakbo coach, reportedly explained. “I think we all kind of went on the court and went to the coach of the other team to say, ‘What just happened? What’s going on?'”
According to the outlet, the family of the 13-year-old is apparently defending his actions. They have reportedly stated that the boy “was standing up for his teammate who he believed was kicked and punched in the scuffle.”
The family reportedly added that since the incident has gone viral, the child is being cyberbullied by adults.
Meanwhile, the Payton’s Place team has issued a statement on the ordeal via Instagram.
“There is footage circulating of one of our team’s games this past weekend. Unfortunately, the footage is not a positive representation of our team and our values,” the statement reads. “The behavior that was exhibited by our player is not acceptable, and is being taken seriously. We do not condone violence. Our players are expected to conduct themselves with integrity on and off the court. At this time, both teams are working together to resolve this matter.”
In addition to the teams’ joint efforts, the Guingabs have reportedly filed a police report with the Alameda Police Department. The department is reportedly investigating the incident, and afterward, the Alameda County District Attorney will determine whether or not charges will be pressed.
“If we don’t say anything right now, this kid will think it’s OK to do it because he’s young,” Guingab reportedly explained. “He thinks that walking away from this situation is okay, and it’s not okay.”
