Newmarket man’s death after ‘incident’ at Patriots game under investigation

A man who died at a New England Patriots home game last weekend was punched at least twice in the head during a fight in the stands with a rival fan, a witness said Tuesday.

Police and safety personnel responded to the upper deck at Gillette Stadium shortly before 11 p.m. Sunday and found Dale Mooney, 53, of Newmarket, New Hampshire, “in apparent need of medical attention.”

Mooney was taken to a hospital, where he was pronounced dead. The Massachusetts State Police are investigating what the district attorney termed an “incident” at the stadium.

Gillette Stadium is seen before an NFL game between the New England Patriots and the Miami Dolphins, Sunday, Sept. 17, 2023, in Foxborough, Mass.

According to the district attorney’s office, preliminary autopsy results did not suggest traumatic injury, but did identify a medical issue. The cause and manner of Mooney’s death remain undetermined pending further testing.

“Our investigation remains open and ongoing,” the Norfolk County district attorney’s office said in a statement Thursday. “Any eyewitness who has not already been interviewed by police, or anyone in possession of original video of the incident, is asked to contact the State Police Detective Unit – Norfolk DA’s Office at 781-830-4990.”

Witness Joey Kilmartin shot video of what he said was a brutal fight between Mooney and another man.

In interviews with several local media outlets, Kilmartin said he saw Mooney, a Patriots fan, confront a Miami Dolphins fan who he had been arguing with during most of the game, which the Dolphins won.

“He basically engaged in mutual combat with another fan,” Kilmatin told The Boston Globe. “A lot of people started trying to pull them apart. … It looked like somebody was in the middle of them, and then a man in the Dolphins jersey reached over and he connected with two punches to the victim’s head.

“It wasn’t something crazy or out of the ordinary until, 30 seconds later, the guy wasn’t getting up.”

Mooney’s wife, Lisa Mooney, said she feels numb and wants answers about how her husband died.

“I just can’t even believe this is for real,” she told WCVB-TV. “I want to know what happened. What caused this?”

Gillette Stadium officials said they were “heartbroken” by the death of Mooney, who they described as a lifelong Patriots fan and 30-year season ticket member.

“We continue to work with local authorities to assist them with their ongoing investigation,” according to the statement. “We extend our sincerest sympathies and heartfelt condolences to Dale’s family and to all those who are mourning his loss.”

According to David Traub, spokesman for Norfolk County district attorney’s office, Massachusetts investigates all deaths not attended by medical personnel. Those investigations are conducted by members of the Massachusetts State Police, he said.

In their investigation, Traub said police will interview witnesses and review “any and all (video) footage of the incident,” whether recordings came from Gillette’s surveillance cameras or private sources. Traub believes there are already postings of related videos taken by spectators that have appeared on social media.

Currently, no charges have been filed against anyone, Traub said.

Fan violence at sporting events, especially among rival supporters, is a long-running problem. Among the most infamous was the 2011 Dodger Stadium parking lot beating of Bryan Stow, a paramedic and San Francisco Giants fan.

Two Los Angeles Dodgers fans punched Stow, who fell to the pavement and suffered severe head injuries. He was awarded about $14 million when a jury found the team was negligent. The attackers received prison sentences.

Reporter Angeljean Chiaramida contributed to this report for Seacoastonline.

This article originally appeared on Portsmouth Herald: Witness: Newmarket NH man was punched before he died at Patriots game