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12-year-old Adriel Enriquez died after collapsing at a team practice in California
Published Mar 05, 2026 • Last updated 2 hours ago • 2 minute read
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Soccer player Adriel Enriquez, 12, died after collapsing during a team practice. GoFundMeArticle content
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A Southern California community has been rocked after a 12-year-old boy died after collapsing during practice.
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Adriel Enriquez suffered a sudden cardiac arrest while participating in a team session on Feb. 26.
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A GoFundMe page was launched earlier this week in honour of Enriquez and to help support his devastated parents, Ricky and Brenda, and brothers Axel and Arley.
The account details the incident, calling the ordeal “every parent’s worst nightmare.”
“What began as a typical afternoon on the field turned into every parent’s worst nightmare,” the page reads. “Adriel collapsed during soccer practice, went into cardiac arrest, and passed away.”
San Bernardino County Fire Department Capt. Eric Sherwin said that paramedics were sent to the scene at about 8:40 p.m. and rushed Adriel to a local hospital, where he died.
What did the team say about Enriquez?
Enriquez’s club, Platinum IE, shared a tribute on Instagram, writing that the organization is “heartbroken,” and asked for support “to honour and celebrate his beautiful life.”
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“He was the sweetest, most gentle and shy soul, with a quiet strength that touched everyone around him,” the club wrote. “Forever our #23.”
The club also held a vigil for Enriquez on Monday night.
Joshua Gutierrez, Adriel’s uncle who set up the fundraiser page, said in a social media post that the 12-year-old “had no medical issues that we were aware of, and his passing was unexpected and an absolute shock.”
Adriel was described as a child that “brought light, energy and joy everywhere he went.”
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“He was a son, a brother, a grandson, a nephew, a cousin, and hearing him call me ‘tio’ truly warmed my heart.
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“Adriel loved soccer. It wasn’t just something he played, it was something he truly loved. He showed up with heart, with passion, and with a smile.”
What caused Enriquez’s collapse?
The cause of Adriel’s sudden cardiac arrest has yet to be reported.
The incident occurred during a period of unusually warm weather in Southern California, with temperatures peaking that day at 31C, according to the National Weather Service.
As of Thursday morning, the GoFundMe campaign has raised more than US$67,000 towards a goal of $75,000, which will be used to “cover funeral expenses, time away from work, and provide breathing room as they focus on grieving, healing and being there for Axel and Arley.”
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