A 12-year-old boy from California’s Inland Empire died after collapsing and going into cardiac arrest during soccer practice on February 26, 2026, leaving his family, teammates, and community in shock. Adriel Enriquez, a player for the Platinum IE soccer club in San Bernardino, experienced difficulty breathing before he collapsed on the field, according to his uncle Joshua Gutierrez, as KTLA reported.
Paramedics rushed to the scene and attempted to revive the young athlete before transporting him to a local hospital, where he was pronounced dead, according to Gutierrez. The boy had no known medical issues prior to his death, his uncle said, making the sudden loss all the more devastating for those who knew him.
Adriel had joined the Platinum IE soccer club — a boys and girls club based in the Inland Empire area — in May 2024. He wore jersey number 23, and was just weeks away from celebrating his 13th birthday in April. The club announced his death on social media, describing him as “the sweetest, most gentle and shy soul” who carried a quiet strength, according to NBC Los Angeles.
In a tribute to their fallen teammate, the Platinum IE soccer club retired Adriel’s jersey number 23 in his memory, FOX 11 Los Angeles reported. The gesture underscored the deep bond the young player had forged with his club in less than two years of membership.
Adriel is survived by his father Ricky, his mother Brenda, and his two brothers, Axel and Arley. The family has been surrounded by an outpouring of support from the community since the tragedy. Gutierrez set up a GoFundMe fundraiser to help cover funeral expenses, time away from work for Adriel’s parents, and to provide the family with financial breathing room during an unimaginably difficult time.
The response has been overwhelming. As of Wednesday, March 4, 2026, the fundraiser had raised more than $59,000, according to Patch. The response has been overwhelming. As of Wednesday, March 4, 2026, the fundraiser had raised more than $59,000.
Meanwhile, the community came together to honor Adriel’s memory at a vigil held on Monday, March 2, 2026, at the Soccer Complex at 3496 W. Little League Drive in San Bernardino. The event, scheduled from 5:45 PM to 7:30 PM near the Award Stage, drew mourners who gathered to share memories and pay their respects, according to Tribute Room.
In addition to the vigil, family members and loved ones planned a separate tribute for Adriel at Toyota Arena in Ontario, according to Gutierrez. The venue, typically known for hosting concerts and sporting events, would serve as the backdrop for a gathering to celebrate the boy’s life.
The sudden death of a seemingly healthy child during routine athletic activity has resonated deeply across Southern California. Sudden cardiac arrest in young athletes, while rare, remains one of the leading causes of death on playing fields nationwide. Adriel’s case, in which no prior medical conditions were known, reflects the unpredictable and devastating nature of such events.
For the Platinum IE soccer club, the loss has been profound. The organization, which serves young athletes across the Inland Empire, has rallied around Adriel’s family while grappling with the absence of a teammate who brought gentleness and determination to every practice, as Yahoo News noted in its coverage.
As the Enriquez family prepares to lay Adriel to rest, the retired number 23 jersey will stand as a lasting reminder of the boy who touched so many lives in his short time on the pitch. His story has prompted an outpouring of grief from the community.
