In Foxborough, Massachusetts, authorities are probing into the death of a New England man who died after a scuffle at the Patriots game at Gillette Stadium on Sunday night. The man, identified as 53-year-old Dale Mooney of Newmarket, New Hampshire, was involved in an incident in the 300-tier section of the stadium. However, it remains unclear if this altercation led to his death.
Mooney, a dedicated Patriots fan and a season ticket holder for 30 years, was attending the game with three friends. According to his wife, Lisa Mooney, the group was verbally taunted by other fans during the game. The incident escalated into a physical confrontation towards the end of the fourth quarter, as described by Joseph Kilmartin, a fellow spectator.
Kilmartin, who recorded a video of the incident, stated that Mooney approached a group of fans on the 300-level of the stadium. “He basically grabbed another fan,” Kilmartin said. “They started tussling around for a few minutes. At one point, another fan walked over. He punched him … and the man just went out. It was pretty hard to watch.”
Following the altercation, Mooney was transported to the Sturdy Memorial Hospital in Attleboro, where he was later pronounced dead. Lisa Mooney expressed her disbelief and grief over her husband’s sudden death. “Numb. I just feel numb,” she said. “I just can’t even believe this is for real.”
Lisa Mooney is seeking answers about the incident that led to her husband’s death. “I want to know what happened,” she told local media. “What caused this?” She also expressed her confusion over the violent turn of events at what was supposed to be a “fun family event.”
The Massachusetts State Police, assigned to the Norfolk District Attorney’s Office, are leading the investigation into Mooney’s death. The District Attorney’s Office stated that the death investigation is following “normal protocol.” No charges have been filed as of yet, and an autopsy is scheduled to take place in the coming days.