John Bieniewicz
The family of John Bieniewicz is coming to grips with his death on, of all places, a soccer field.
His brother said he hopes the death of the 44-year-old father of two young sons will be a reminder to others to stop for a moment and consider whether what they’re about to do is worth a loss of life, Elisha Anderson writes in the Free Press.
“Ever since the incident, I keep asking myself why did this happen? What for? Why did it happen?” Jim Bieniewicz told Anderson. “And I don’t think I will ever get an answer to that.”
John Bieniewicz of Westland was refereeing an adult soccer game in Livonia on Sunday when witnesses said he was punched by a player about to be ejected from the game. Bieniewicz was pronounced dead two days later at Detroit Receiving Hospital.
Bassel Abdul-Amir Saad, 36, of Dearborn has been accused of throwing the punch and was arraigned Monday on a felony charge of assault with intent to do great bodily harm less than murder and received a $500,000 cash/surety bond. His attorney said the facts of the case have been mischaracterized, and officials say he could face additional charges.
