12-year-old Adriel Enriquez died after collapsing at a team practice in California<\/p>\n
Published Mar 05, 2026 \u00a0\u2022\u00a0 Last updated 2\u00a0hours ago \u00a0\u2022\u00a0 2 minute read<\/p>\n
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Postmedia may earn an affiliate commission from purchases made through links on this page.<\/p>\n A Southern California community has been rocked after a 12-year-old boy died after collapsing during practice.<\/p>\n Advertisement 2<\/p>\n This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below.<\/p>\n THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLY<\/p>\n Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada.<\/p>\n Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account.Get exclusive access to the Toronto Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on.Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists.Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists.Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword.<\/p>\n SUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES<\/p>\n Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada.<\/p>\n Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account.Get exclusive access to the Toronto Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on.Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists.Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists.Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword.<\/p>\n REGISTER \/ SIGN IN TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES<\/p>\n Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience.<\/p>\n Access articles from across Canada with one account.Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments.Enjoy additional articles per month.Get email updates from your favourite authors.<\/p>\n THIS ARTICLE IS FREE TO READ REGISTER TO UNLOCK.<\/p>\n Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience.<\/p>\n Access articles from across Canada with one accountShare your thoughts and join the conversation in the commentsEnjoy additional articles per monthGet email updates from your favourite authors<\/p>\n Article content<\/p>\n Adriel Enriquez suffered a sudden cardiac arrest while participating in a team session on Feb. 26.<\/p>\n Article content<\/p>\n Article content<\/p>\n A GoFundMe page was launched<\/a> earlier this week in honour of Enriquez and to help support his devastated parents, Ricky and Brenda, and brothers Axel and Arley.<\/p>\n The account details the incident, calling the ordeal \u201cevery parent\u2019s worst nightmare.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWhat began as a typical afternoon on the field turned into every parent\u2019s worst nightmare,\u201d the page reads. \u201cAdriel collapsed during soccer practice, went into cardiac arrest, and passed away.\u201d<\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n What did the team say about Enriquez?<\/p>\n Enriquez\u2019s club, Platinum IE, shared a tribute on Instagram<\/a>, writing that the organization is \u201cheartbroken,\u201d and asked for support \u201cto honour and celebrate his beautiful life.\u201d<\/p>\n Your Midday Sun<\/p>\n Thanks for signing up!<\/p>\n Article content<\/p>\n Advertisement 3<\/p>\n This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below.<\/p>\n Article content<\/p>\n \u201cHe was the sweetest, most gentle and shy soul, with a quiet strength that touched everyone around him,\u201d the club wrote. \u201cForever our #23.\u201d<\/p>\n The club also held a vigil for Enriquez on Monday night.<\/p>\n Joshua Gutierrez, Adriel\u2019s uncle who set up the fundraiser page, said in a social media post that the 12-year-old \u201chad no medical issues that we were aware of, and his passing was unexpected and an absolute shock.\u201d<\/p>\n Adriel was described as a child that \u201cbrought light, energy and joy everywhere he went.\u201d<\/p>\n Read More<\/p>\n Actor who plays Dani Rojas in Ted Lasso could be close to joining USL’s Locomotive FC<\/p>\n <\/a> Aryna Sabalenka shows off massive engagement ring days after viral TikTok post<\/p>\n <\/a><\/p>\n \u201cHe was a son, a brother, a grandson, a nephew, a cousin, and hearing him call me \u2018tio\u2019 truly warmed my heart.<\/p>\n Advertisement 4<\/p>\n This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below.<\/p>\n Article content<\/p>\n \u201cAdriel loved soccer. It wasn\u2019t just something he played, it was something he truly loved. He showed up with heart, with passion, and with a smile.\u201d<\/p>\n What caused Enriquez\u2019s collapse?<\/p>\n The cause of Adriel\u2019s sudden cardiac arrest has yet to be reported.<\/p>\n 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<\/a>.<\/p>\n 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 \u201ccover funeral expenses, time away from work, and provide breathing room as they focus on grieving, healing and being there for Axel and Arley.\u201d<\/p>\n Article content<\/p>\n Share this article in your social network<\/p>\n![\"Soccer](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/0306-adriel-enriquez-soccer-trophy.jpg\")
Soccer player Adriel Enriquez, 12, died after collapsing during a team practice. GoFundMeArticle content<\/p>\n![\"Toronto](\"https:\/\/dcs-static.gprod.postmedia.digital\/20.7.1\/websites\/images\/identity\/logo-identity-tsun.svg\"){kind=logo}
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