The New England Patriots put out a statement following the death of a fan on Sunday after an altercation at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Massachusetts.
Dale Mooney, 53, of Newmarket, New Hampshire, died after an incident in the 300s tier of the stadium during the game on Sept. 17, the Norfolk District Attorney’s Office said Monday.
A witness at Gillette Stadium on Sunday said Mooney was punched in the face, fell to the ground and never regained consciousness. Foxborough police and the district attorney’s office continue to investigate the incident but have not yet provided details about what happened.
“We are heartbroken to learn of the tragic passing of Dale Mooney, a lifelong Patriots fans and 30-year season ticket member, who died while attending last Sunday night’s Patriots game,” the statement reads. “We continue to work with local authorities to assist them with their ongoing investigation. We extend our sincerest sympathies and heartfelt condolences to Dale’s family and to all those who are mourning his loss.”
While the incident remains under investigation, a spectator told MassLive he saw the physical altercation that happened between Mooney and a Dolphins fan.
There was bickering back and forth throughout the game between one section of the crowd and another, and toward the end of the fourth quarter, he noticed Mooney in a physical altercation with other spectators, according to Joey Kilmartin, of Nashua, New Hampshire.
“The Dolphins fan walks over and clearly punches him in the face,” Kilmartin said. “(He) gets knocked out and you can tell right away he’s not OK.”
Mooney never got back up and EMTs arrived to perform CPR, according to Kilmartin, who later gave his account to Foxborough police.
“It’s an unfortunate situation,” he said. “I feel bad for the family.”
MassLive reviewed a video of the physical altercation recorded by Kilmartin at Gillette Stadium on Sunday night. Mooney’s wife, Lisa, told WCVB that her husband was a ticket holder for 30 years and a father of two.
“I want to know what happened. What caused this?” she told the outlet. “I just don’t understand why people have to go to that extreme. Why can’t it just be fun? That’s all it’s supposed to be, a fun family event.”
No charges have been filed per the district attorney’s office. Kilmartin said he witnessed police take one man into custody. An autopsy is scheduled to take place in the coming days.
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