ABC 7 reported that a 13-year-old boy from California was seen on video stomping on an opponent's head during a basketball game on Sunday.
A police investigation has been launched after a 13-year-old player was seen stomping on an opponent's head during a youth basketball game in Alameda. video, according to The incident occurred during a match between Tumaqbo United, a Bay Area Filipino-American youth team, and local rival Peyton's Place, according to ABC 7. The victim's mother, Eva Gingabu, described the attack:
A wild scene in which a 13-year-old basketball player stomps on an opponent's head during a game https://t.co/ttxAkFk7jV
— Fox News (@FoxNews) July 23, 2024
“My son was on the floor and this kid came over and stomped on my son's head,” Gingabu told ABC 7. “You could clearly see the size of the shoe on his face. It was my son's first concussion playing basketball.” (Related article: NBA star embarrassed after argument with grown man wearing balloon hat)
The suspect's family claims their child was trying to protect a teammate they believed was being attacked during a game. The family added that since the incident he has been the target of cyberbullying and has left the basketball program to get help managing his emotions. Tumakubo United coach Michael Tolentino expressed dismay courtside and stressed the need for accountability.
A black boy stomps on an Asian boy's head at a youth basketball game in the Bay Area.
pic.twitter.com/LcA79KMVYt— Asian Dawn (@AsianDawn4) July 22, 2024
“I think everybody was in shock. I think everybody walked out onto the court, went to the coach of the other team and asked, 'What happened? What's going on?'” Tolentino said, ABC7 reported.
“If we don't say anything now, this child will think that because he is still young, it is OK to do this. He will think that it is OK to run away from this situation, which is not OK,” Gingabu added.
According to ABC 7, the incident has raised widespread concerns and unconfirmed reports suggest there was an additional altercation between the parents and officials after the incident, but there is no video evidence for these claims. The case remains open as local police have taken over the case and the investigation continues. The outcome of this investigation will determine whether charges will be filed by the Alameda County District Attorney.
