Shocking video showing the moment a 13-year-old California basketball player stomps on a defenseless player’s head has been released, forcing police to launch an investigation into the cold-blooded attack.
The on-camera assault happened during a game Sunday between two Bay Area teams, Tumaqbo United, a Filipino-American youth basketball team, and Payton’s Place at the College of Alameda. ABC7 reported..
The victim, who plays for Tumakubo, caught the basketball from a teammate but was on high alert for opponents.
He fell to the ground, losing the ball and both players ended up tugging at each other as they struggled for a chance to get the ball back.
However, as the two players were wrestling on the field, another Peyton’s Place player ran up and stomped the other player’s head forcefully onto the wooden floor.
The referee reacted swiftly to the stomp, blowing his whistle and escorting the thug off the court as other players and coaches crowded around him.
“He was on the floor and the kid came and stomped on his head,” said the victim’s mother, Eva Gingabu. ABC7 No. 7.
“You could tell by the look on my son’s face how big the shoes were. He got a concussion the first time he played basketball.”
A photo taken after the game showed the side of his son’s head red with shoe marks all over his neck and the top of his head.
His mother said her son was undergoing treatment for a concussion and was suffering from headaches.
“I think everyone was in shock,” Tumakubo United manager Michael Tolentino told the outlet.
“I think we all went out on the court, went to the other team’s coach and said, ‘What happened? What’s going on?'”
But the family of the Payton’s Place player who carried out the stomping claim the boy was defending a teammate who they believe was being kicked and punched in a brawl.
The family also revealed that the boy has been subjected to cyberbullying by adults since the video went viral online.
The unidentified Peyton’s Place player was assaulted and removed from the gym.
“There is footage circulating from our team’s game last weekend. Unfortunately, the footage does not portray our team or our values in a positive light,” Peyton’s Place said. He said on Instagram.
“The behavior exhibited by the player is unacceptable and is taken seriously. We do not tolerate violence and expect players to conduct themselves with integrity on and off the court. Both teams are currently working together to resolve this matter.”
Coaches from both teams told local media that the incident had nothing to do with race.
According to the media, the Gingabu couple subsequently filed a complaint with the Alameda Police Department, and the trampling incident is under investigation.
The Alameda County District Attorney will decide whether to file charges after a police investigation.
“If we don’t say anything now, this kid will think that because he’s young, it’s OK to do it,” Gingabu said. “He’ll think it’s OK to run away from the situation, but it’s not OK.”
Peyton’s Place removed the player from its roster on Tuesday, saying his actions were “unexpected.”
“The player involved in the incident no longer plays for the Peyton’s Place team,” the team said. “His actions were unexpected and we are working to assist him with resources to prevent this from happening in the future. Violence has no place on our team. On behalf of the entire Peyton’s Place family, we offer our sincerest apologies to the player injured in this incident, his family and all those affected.”
