‘A horrific tragedy’: Brockton middle school student dies after becoming unresponsive at basketball club

A Brockton middle school student died suddenly on Tuesday while playing at a basketball club in Stoughton, an incident one official called “a horrific tragedy.”

Brockton Public Schools identified the boy as George-Levi Njuguna. 

“We’re deeply saddened by the passing of a sixth grader from North Middle School,” Jordan Mayblum, spokesperson for Brockton Public Schools, said in a statement to Boston.com. “We’ve communicated with their family and the affected school community and will be making resources available for those who are impacted by this devastating loss.”

Stoughton police said in a statement that officers and the Stoughton Fire Department were called to the Dana Barros Center at 1776 Washington Street around 8 p.m. on Tuesday after multiple 911 calls were made reporting an unresponsive child at the basketball club. While first responders were on their way to the scene, dispatchers provided instructions over the phone to help the person performing CPR on the boy until officers arrived.

Police officers then took over medical care and continued to perform CPR until paramedics arrived, Stoughton police said. Njuguna was taken to a local hospital, where he was pronounced dead. 

“This is a horrific tragedy and our hearts go out to the friends and family of this young boy,” Stoughton Police Chief Donna McNamara said in a statement.

Stoughton Fire Chief Michael Carroll told Boston 25 News the 11-year-old was playing basketball when he collapsed and first responders, in addition to performing CPR, used a defibrillator in an attempt to resuscitate the child.

“From what I understand, he had no real cardiac issues historically,” Carroll told the station. “A normal healthy child.”

Barros Basketball Club thanked first responders in a statement provided to Boston 25 News. 

“Our heartfelt condolence is extended to the player’s family as they deal with this unimaginable loss,” the club said. “Our entire basketball community, especially his teammates and coaches but all of our club members and their families are devastated and heartbroken over this tragedy. This young man loved basketball, he was a cherished teammate and friend, and it is difficult to imagine the Club moving forward without the presence of his smiling face.”

Stoughton police said the Njuguna’s passing is being investigated as an unattended death, “per standard procedure,” but the department said the child’s death does not appear to be suspicious.

Molly Farrar contributed reporting.