Phoenix police are searching for several suspects after a 19-year-old man was critically injured in an assault that broke out during a soccer game Thursday evening in the Maryvale area.
Officers responded around 8 p.m. to reports of an unconscious man in a field near Sueno Park, close to 43rd Avenue and Encanto Boulevard. Investigators said a fight erupted while a soccer game was underway, and several people assaulted the victim before fleeing the scene.
Phoenix Fire Department crews transported the man to a nearby hospital, where he was listed in extremely critical condition. Police have not released additional details about what sparked the altercation or how many suspects may have been involved.
The investigation remains active as detectives work to identify those responsible. Authorities are asking anyone who witnessed the fight or has information about the assault to contact the Phoenix Police Department or submit an anonymous tip through Silent Witness. The case highlights the challenges investigators face when violent incidents occur during large public gatherings, where multiple witnesses may hold key information about what happened.
