Wheeling Jesuit University student dies following fight near campus

Published: Sunday, September 1, 2013, 2:39?p.m.
Updated 2 minutes ago

A Wheeling Jesuit University student died in Pittsburgh early Sunday, nearly 24 hours after he and a friend were attacked while walking toward campus from a nearby bar.

Kevin M. Figaniak, 21, was found unresponsive and admitted to Wheeling Hospital with severe head trauma and later transferred to UPMC Presbyterian in Oakland, where he died about 3:05 a.m. The second unidentified victim had mild scratches and refused medical treatment, police said.

Sgt. Kevin Kettler said the crime scene is largely residential with a popular bar and restaurant area a block away.

?In an area like that, you're going to get a lot of noise complaints, some loitering complaints, the occasional fight,? Kettler said. ?But this is the only time anything serious has happened.?

Figaniak, a senior business major, was a member of the WJU varsity lacrosse team and the university's club hockey team. He was the son of Valerie and Tom Figaniak of Perkasie in Bucks County. Funeral arrangements are pending.

The university held a prayer service Saturday night for students. Staff members from residence life, campus ministry, the counseling office and the athletic department are talking with students, providing counseling and support, according to a school statement.

Wheeling Police Chief Shawn Schwertfeger reported that three or four white men believed to be in their mid-20s assaulted the pair about 1:45 a.m. Saturday. One man wore a hat and two others had brown hair with denim jeans. The group ran off before police arrived.

Megan Harris is a staff writer for Trib Total Media. She can be reached at 412-388-5815 or mharris@tribweb.com.

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Source: http://triblive.com/news/adminpage/4631596-74/university-wheeling-figaniak

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