60-Year-Old Man Dies Following Fight at Middle School Basketball Game, Investigation Launched

An investigation has been launched in connection with the death of a 60-year-old man following a fight at a middle school basketball game in Vermont.

Per a report from regional outlet WCAX, the fight in question—a portion of which was captured in widely cited social media footage—took place on Tuesday at the Alburgh Community Education Center during a game against St. Albans City Schools.

The man who died, later identified as 60-year-old Russell Giroux, is said to have initially “asked to be taken” to a nearby hospital, where he later died. As for the footage, it’s brief and shows a number of adults rushing to the court, at which point numerous punches are seen being thrown as at least one man appears to be on the ground.

In a statement shared Wednesday, Vermont State Police confirmed it was investigating the death. According to police, troopers were initially called to the gymnasium just before 7:00 p.m. local time after “a large fight involving multiple spectators” was reported during a game involving seventh and eighth grade students.

“The melee ended before troopers arrived on scene, and some participants had departed the school,” a police rep said. “One of those individuals, Russell Giroux, 60, of Alburgh, subsequently sought medical attention, was transported by ambulance to Northwestern Medical Center in St. Albans, and was pronounced dead at the hospital. The circumstances of his death are under active investigation.”

Next, the man’s body will undergo an autopsy, at which point an official cause and manner of death will be determined.

School officials have also spoken out publicly about the fight and subsequent death. 

Grand Isle Supervisory Union Superintendent Michael Clark, Alburgh Community Education Center Principal Beth Hemingway, and Grand Isle Supervisory Union Director of Student Support Services Nick DeVita said in a joint statement that students and others in the community should “commit to the positive culture that our school community expects and deserves.”

In a separate statement, Maple Run Unified School District Superintendent Bill Kimball said that he “condemns the violence” that took place, adding that he and other officials “expect better” from the community.

“The recent spate of spectator misconduct at school sporting events throughout Vermont is concerning,” Kimball added. “We urge the Agency of Education and the Vermont Principals Association to give consideration as to how best to respond to misbehavior by spectators and to act decisively to limit the harm that can be caused to students or other attendees.”

Complex has reached out to the Alburgh Community Education Center, St. Albans City Schools, and Vermont State Police for additional comment. This story may be updated.