Police have accused a 17-year-old goalie player in a recreational soccer league of punching Portillo after a foul call and issue of a yellow card. Portillo was transported to the hospital with what were at first believed to be minor injuries, but the referee soon went into a coma and later died.,
“He was a father, he was a friend, he was a grandfather, he left a whole family behind,” said Johana Portillo, the oldest of his three daughters. “They should think before they do something stupid.”
The suspect whose name has not been released because he is a minor, was arrested Monday and brought to Salt Lake Valley Detention Center, where he has remained in custody, according to police.
