A 10-year-old California boy died at a trampoline park after a fight with another boy, while his family furiously slammed police, claiming the death was an accident.
The young victim, Anthony Duran, was playing basketball with a group of other children at the Rockin’ Jump trampoline park in Merced on April 13 when he and another child got into an argument, witnesses told KFSN News.
Witnesses said Duran fell to the ground at the trampoline park on West Main Street in Merced, a town about 100 miles east of San Jose, when the other boy, whose name was not released, reportedly ran away.
Bystanders administered CPR to the young victim until emergency responders arrived. He was taken to the hospital but died on April 16 from the injuries he sustained.
Before the fight broke out, family and friends said that Duran “dumped” and “actually hit” the other child, which KFSN said the other child “didn’t like.”
Ten-year-old Anthony Duran was playing basketball with a group of other children at the Rockin’ Jump trampoline park in Merced on April 13 when he and another child got into an argument, witnesses told KFSN News
Nellie Barragan, a family friend, told the news outlet that Duran was an active child. “He played football and boxed. He just finished basketball. He had no health problems,” she said. “They say maybe it was a medical condition. It was not’
A photo of the Chief of Police from the Merced Police Department
At 3:30pm on Monday, the Merced Police Department issued an updated statement: “Merced youth succumbs to ‘accident’ injuries,” but Duran’s family has disputed those claims and called for a full investigation.
They say that Duran was in good health and that there is no indication that his death was caused by a medical episode unrelated to the beatings.
The Merced County Coroner’s Office has not yet released Duran’s cause of death
According to police, the incident was captured on surveillance video and, according to a department press release, statements were taken from 35 people who were at the scene at the time.
They reported that witnesses reported seeing Duran playing basketball at the facility when he and another child got into a brief physical altercation.
Duran then collapsed and the other youth fled on foot. Duran was transported to a regional trauma center but unfortunately did not survive.
Officials said they are reviewing the case with the Merced County Attorney’s Office to determine if charges will be filed.
An autopsy will also be performed.
When contacted the Merced Police Department, they did not respond to our request for comment.
Angela Duran, a relative of the family, started GoFundMe to raise money for Duran’s funeral
Friends and family gathered for a vigil for Duran at Golden Valley High School. It was the second vigil held in his honor since his sudden and tragic death.
There was a balloon on which many held up signs with the three words “Justice for Anthony.”
Duran’s junior varsity coach Jack Booker told News 11 that he was “devastated.”
“I didn’t believe it at first. I was in denial Who would have expected something like this to happen?’
He remembered the young team member as someone who “always loved the game” and was “very passionate about the game”.
Nellie Barragan, a family friend, told KFSN that Duran is an “active boy.”
“He played football and boxed. He just finished basketball. He had no health problems,” she said.
“They say maybe it was a medical condition. It was not.’
Duran’s distraught mother, whose name has not been released but who works as a nurse, plans to donate her son’s organs, according to the news outlet.
Angela Duran, a relative of the family, started GoFundMe to raise money for Duran’s funeral.
“Anthony gained his wings on 4/16/23. I am asking you to make a donation to my nephew’s mother at this time of need, now that she has to put Anthony to rest,” Angela wrote.
“We want to give him a decent burial. Thank you for all the love and support you have given Anthony.
By Thursday afternoon, $27,000 had been raised to reach their $30,000 goal.