Patriots fan death: Witness claims ‘violent confrontation’ occurred before death at Gillette Stadium

CNN
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A man who attended Sunday night’s New England Patriots game at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Massachusetts, said he witnessed a “violent confrontation” that led to the death of a fan, according to an interview with CNN affiliate WCVB.

The Norfolk County District Attorney’s Office said Dale Mooney, 53, of Newmarket, New Hampshire, died after an “accident” during the New England Patriots’ game against the Miami Dolphins on Sunday night.

Joseph Kilmartin, a Patriots fan who was in attendance at the game, told WCVB that he saw Mooney approach a group of fans on the 300 level of the stadium near the end of the fourth quarter.

“He won over another fan,” Kilmartin said. “They started brawling for a few minutes. At one point, another fan walked up. He punched him…and the guy just walked out. It was pretty hard to watch,” Kilmartin said.

Kilmartin declined CNN’s request for an interview.

Foxboro police and fire initially responded to the incident around 10:57 p.m., when Mooney needed medical attention, the District Attorney’s Office said in a statement to CNN on Monday.

Mooney was taken to Sturdy Memorial Hospital where he was pronounced dead shortly before midnight, Massachusetts State Police said in a statement to CNN on Monday.

Police and the Norfolk District Attorney opened an investigation. CNN reached out to the state police and the district attorney’s office for comment on the alleged confrontation, but did not receive any response.

Mooney’s wife, Lisa, told WCVB that her husband, a 30-year season ticket holder and father of two, went to Gillette Stadium with three friends who later told her they were “verbally taunted” by other fans during the game.

“It takes a lot to drive him crazy,” Lisa Mooney said. “He has the patience of a saint. I don’t know what happened.”

According to Lisa Mooney, her husband had no known medical condition that she was aware of.

“I want to know what happened,” Lisa Mooney told WCVB. “What’s the reason for this?”

CNN was unable to reach Lisa Mooney for comment.

The autopsy results have not been released, and CNN’s calls to the coroner were not returned.

“We are deeply saddened to learn of the tragic passing of Dale Mooney, a lifelong Patriots fan and 30-year season ticket member, who passed away while attending a Patriots game last Sunday night,” Gillette Stadium officials said in a statement. “We continue to work with local authorities to assist them with their ongoing investigation. We extend our deepest sympathies and heartfelt condolences to Dale’s family and to all those mourning his loss.”

CNN reached out to the New England Patriots for comment but has not received a response.