A 10-year-old boy has died after getting into a fight with another lad at a trampoline park, police said.
The boy, named as Anthony Duran, collapsed last Thursday night after getting into a fight with another child while they were playing basketball, with the other child reportedly running away afterward.
According to family and friends, Anthony"'dunked" the other child, "actually beat them", which the other child "did not like", prior to the fight breaking out.
The incident happened at the Rockin' Jump Trampoline Park in Merced, California - around 100 miles east of San Jose, sparking a police investigation.
In a statement, the Merced Police Department said: "Witnesses reported seeing Duran playing basketball inside the establishment when he and another child got into a brief physical altercation.
"As a result, Duran collapsed and the other juvenile fled on foot. Duran was transported to a regional trauama center but unfortunately did not survive."
Police went on to say that the "incident was captured on the establishment's security video" which detectives had reviewed.
They also took statements from 35 people, including staff, parents, and children who were at the scene when it happened.
Police have identified the other youth involved and said they "have been in contact with the parents throughout the investigation".
Merced County Coroner's Office are carrying out an autopsy to determine cause of death. Police are reviewing the incident with the Merced County District Attorney to determine if charges will be filed.
Family and friends wearing shirt saying 'Justice for Anthony Duran' with pictures of the boy on them spoke to reporters outside the trampoline park.
"He's gone, and he's not coming back. Why?" asked Angela Reyes, Anthony's aunt.
"Why are they taking this long to do something? Why was there 10 police officers here the day of the incident and supposedly it was a medical issue."
"He played football. He was in boxing. He just finished basketball. He had no health problems," family friend Nellie Barragan told WMBF News.
"That's what they're saying is that maybe it was a medical condition. It was not."
She said on behalf of Anthony's mum: "I guess he just dunked them, so actually beat them and the other kid didn't like it, so he chose to take his own action and start fighting with Anthony."
Family members are asking for justice, saying they are yet to see the surveillance video, and would like to.
"I wish he would've gotten up from that bed and come home," Reyes said.
"He was only 10. He had a whole life to go."
Those close to the family say Anthony's mother is a nurse, and is planning to donate her son's organs. A GoFundMe has been set up to raise money for the 10-year-old's funeral, receiving more than $24,000 in donations at the time of publication.
