A spring break visit to a trampoline park ended in tragedy earlier this month when a 10-year-old boy died after an alleged altercation with another child. Anthony Duran and his family were at Rockin' Jump in Merced, California, on April 13 when a fight broke out between Duran and another child while they played basketball. Witnesses claimed there was a brief physical altercation before Duran collapsed.
Though video surveillance of the alleged incident exists, the Merced Police Department issued very few details in a Facebook post earlier this week about the incident. Duran's loved ones told Fox 26 they are frustrated with police and want justice for the young boy who died too soon.
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There were reportedly a lot of people around during the altercation.
According to police, several witnesses claimed to have seen Duran and another boy playing basketball April 13 at Rockin' Jump. Some say Duran and another boy fought physically during the game and Duran collapsed. Witnesses performed CPR on the boy as they waited for EMS to arrive, according to WMBF.
First responders rushed Duran to a hospital. Sadly, police were notified Monday that he had died, according to the department's news release.
"The incident was captured on the establishment's security video. Detectives reviewed the video surveillance and obtained statements from 35 people, including staff, parents, and children who were at the scene when the incident occurred," the police departmen's statement on Facebook reads. "Additionally, detectives identified the other youth involved in the altercation and have been in contact with the parents throughout this investigation."
Investigators are trying to figure out how the young boy died.
The Merced County Coroner's Office will perform an autopsy to determine the cause of death, according to police. Duran's family questions the investigation, claiming that he was healthy and had no underlying medical issues.
"He played football. He was in boxing. He just finished basketball. He had no health problems," family friend Nellie Barragan told WMBF. "That's what they're saying is that maybe it was a medical condition. It was not."
Barragan told Fox 26 that Duran and the alleged attacker had disagreed over the game's outcome. "I guess he just dunked them, so actually beat them and the other kid didn't like it, so he chose to take his own action and start fighting with Anthony," she said.
The family has yet to see the surveillance video, according to Fox 26.
The Merced community held a candlelight vigil to honor Duran.
Friends who played football with Duran spoke highly of him at Wednesday's vigil. Duran played on the JV Cougar football team, and his coach, Jack Booker, said he was one of his youngest and most driven players on the team, KSEE reported.
"I was devastated, I couldn't believe it," Booker said. "At first I was in denial, because who is expecting anything like this to happen."
Teammate 8-year-old Fabian Badillo said he would miss his friend. "He was a good person, he didn't make trouble, he always behaved and smiled, everything," Badillo remembered.
Duran's family is asking the public to help get justice for their beloved boy.
Jose Rodriguez started an online petition to raise awareness of the case and to hopefully encourage police to press charges against the alleged 14-year-old attacker.
"Please join our fight for Justice as Anthony isn't here to speak for himself anymore. Help bring justice and closure to his family during this difficult time," the petition reads. "If we don't stand for change we will fail our future! Every signature counts we thank you in advance."
"There are consequences for our actions. If he is killing someone at age 14 over a game I can only imagine how he will be as he gets older," one supporter wrote.
"Im a mother of a child Anthony's age. I cant imagine losing mine and the person who did it just getting away with it," someone else commented.
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Donations are pouring in for the family.
Angela Duran, Anthony Duran's aunt, started a GoFundMe page to help with final expenses. The campaign thus far has more than $26,000 in donations. Donors shared their sympathy and condolences with the family.
"I loved having Anthony and Ernesto as students. Anthony was always such a bright and positive boy. My deepest condolences to the Duran family," a teacher wrote.
"On behalf of Sick Wit Athletes, and one mother to another. My prayers and deepest condolences are with you and your family in your time of need," another donor wrote. "May God be with you and wrap his arms of love and mercy around you. In hopes of comfort and peace in these devastating of moments you are experiencing."
According to the family, Duran's mother, Maribel Garcia-Orozco, is a nurse and planned to donate his organs to someone in need.
The investigation is ongoing, and Merced police ask anyone with information to contact Detective Edwin Arias at 209-388-7826 or [email protected].
