A New England Patriots fan was filmed being punched by a Miami Dolphins fan shortly before he collapsed and died during a game at Gillette Stadium in Boston.
Disturbing new footage obtained by NBC10 shows Dale Mooney, 53, wearing his Patriots jersey, being attacked by a Dolphins fan.
The punch connects because witnesses said Mooney fell to the ground moments later during the big brawl. Mooney, a married father of two, was taken to a nearby hospital where he was pronounced dead.
A man in his 30s, who was said to have a salt and pepper beard, was taken away by police. The Norfolk County District Attorney’s Office has launched an investigation but says no charges have been filed.
Mooney’s widow claims he was beaten to death after being taunted by Dolphins fans. Another eyewitness claimed Mooney and the Dolphins fan argued for most of the game.
Disturbing new footage shows the moment Patriots fan Dale Mooney was beaten to death at a football game. A short time later he collapsed and was pronounced dead when taken to hospital
She says her husband didn’t throw a single punch – even though the grieving widow wasn’t there at the time. Mooney, a season ticket holder for 30 years, attended the game with friends.
The father of two from Newmarket, New Hampshire, died shortly before 11 p.m. Sunday after an incident in the 300-seater area of the arena. He was at the game with a group of friends.
The Norfolk County District Attorney’s Office said police responded to calls for medical assistance to the department at 10:57 p.m. and “the matter remains under active investigation.”
Heartbroken Lisa Mooney told Boston 25 News that she heard her husband was taunted by several Dolphins fans during the game. She claims that her late spouse did not retaliate and that his death left her numb with shock and disbelief.
Father-of-two Dale Mooney (pictured), 53, of Newmarket, New Hampshire, died shortly before 11 p.m. on Sunday after an incident in the 300-seater area of the arena
Heartbroken Lisa Mooney said she heard her husband was taunted by several Dolphins fans during the game – and footage showed he did not retaliate during the ordeal
Devastated wife Lisa Mooney said she felt “numb” after hearing the terrible news of her husband’s death. “I just feel numb, I can’t even believe this is real,” she said. (Pictured: Lisa and Dale Mooney)
Lisa called her husband a “great father” to their two adult sons – and told WMUR that she “feels numb” and “can’t even believe this is real.”
A photo from the stadium in Foxborough, Massachusetts, shows paramedics struggling to revive someone lying on the ground out of shot as worried fans look on.
Videos also show security forces attempting to break up a scuffle and paramedics performing CPR shortly afterwards.
A witness at the scene, Joseph Kilmartin, described the alleged attack of a Miami Dolphins fan as “hard to watch.”
“They started arguing for a few minutes,” Kilmartin told WCVB.
“At one point another Dolphins fan came over. He hit him three times and the man just walked out. It was pretty hard to watch.’
He said Mooney was struck twice in the face before falling unconscious in his seat.
Several other anonymous witnesses gave similar descriptions of the “brutal” attack that caused Mooney to “break down” while speaking to Boston 10 at the scene.
“One word I can really use is shocking,” one viewer said. “My thoughts are with this man’s family.” “It’s terrible what happened,” another person commented.
Videos from the Foxborough Arena show security guards trying to break up a scuffle and paramedics performing CPR moments later as concerned fans look on
Several anonymous witnesses described the “brutal” attack that caused Mooney to “break down.”
Mooney’s devastated wife said she felt “numb” after hearing the terrible news about her husband and father of two, a dedicated Patriots season ticket holder for three decades.
“I just feel numb, I can’t even believe this is real,” Lisa told WCVB.
“I don’t understand why people have to go to such extremes. ‘Why can’t it just be fun, that’s all it’s supposed to be, just a fun family event.’
She added that her husband has no known illness that could cause him to faint and that he has “the patience of a saint.”
“I don’t know what happened… It takes a lot to make him angry,” she said.
Prosecutors said the investigation into his death was following “normal protocol” and that an autopsy would take place in the coming days.
No arrests were made in connection with the incident.