UFPD says 51-year-old man died after intentional fall inside football stadium
Staff report
GAINESVILLE, Fla. – A 51-year-old man has succumbed to his injuries after intentionally stepping off a beam inside Ben Hill Griffin Stadium this morning, according to the University of Florida; UF confirmed that the man was not affiliated with the university.
At about 9:47 a.m. on August 31, University of Florida Police Department officers responded to reports of an individual standing on a cement support beam inside the west concourse of Ben Hill Griffin Stadium.
Officers attempted to speak to the man, encouraging him to walk toward them safely. Despite their best efforts to speak with him, the man stepped off the ledge. Officers immediately attempted life-saving measures, but the man succumbed to his injuries and was pronounced deceased at 10:05 a.m. by Alachua County Fire Rescue.
UFPD is withholding the name of the 51-year-old man pending notification of next of kin. Investigators have confirmed he is not affiliated with the university. The investigation into this isolated incident is ongoing.
Unfortune for all involved. The stadium has had its share of intentional deaths as well as accidental deaths since it was renovated. The officers did their best but when someone has commits themselves to the act of suicide nothing is going to stop it. Hopefully the department will offer counseling for the officers that attempted to intervene, witnessed and attempted life saving measures. The stress and carnage is sometimes a hellish thing for first responders to face and witness.
My understanding is that he was a homeless man, so I’m surprised all those in the Chronitard community aren’t high-fiving each other over this development because at least one GRACE problem finally solved itself!
So far you’re the only one
It’s ironic that “higher education” and “think tanks” haven’t been able to solve “houselessness”. Maybe college DSA members should start by facing the facts and looking in their law school’s mirror?
Samuel, shouldn’t you be wearing a helmet and licking windows instead of posting that drivel on here? Your crass lack of empathy is nauseating.