Efran Hernandez, a 24-year-old man, lost his life on the evening of May 9, 2018, in Phoenix, Arizona. A husband and father of two young daughters, he was a goalkeeper in the Maya Chapin Soccer League. On that particular evening, Hernandez had stopped at a Circle K convenience store located near 19th Avenue and Grant Street to grab a snack. It was a routine stop that tragically placed him in the path of unexpected violence.
While Hernandez was inside the store, a man named Joel Carson,
53, entered with the intent to cause harm. Carson opened fire, fatally shooting Hernandez. Following the initial shooting, the situation escalated as Carson then took eight other customers hostage. The terrifying ordeal for the remaining hostages came to an end when Carson's weapon reportedly malfunctioned. Seizing the opportunity, several of the hostages bravely tackled the gunman, subduing him until law enforcement arrived.
In the aftermath of the tragic event, the community rallied around the family of Efran Hernandez. Friends and fellow players from his soccer league organized a memorial tournament at Cesar Chavez Park to honor his memory and to raise funds for his family, including his wife who was too shaken to speak publicly at the time. The event saw thirty teams come together, a testament to the positive impact Hernandez had on his community both on and off the field, where he was known for bringing his daughters to his games.
