Authorities are investigating the death of 60-year-old Russell Giroux, who died Tuesday night after a brawl between spectators at a local men's basketball game.
(Credit: WCAX/Rachel St. Hilaire/Grand Isle State's Attorney)
(CNN) --
A 60-year-old man died after a fight broke out Tuesday night in the city of Alburgh during a high school basketball game, the Vermont State Police (VST) said in a statement on Wednesday.
Russell Giroux was taken by ambulance to Northwestern Medical Center in St. Albans, where he was pronounced dead, VST said.
"The circumstances of his death are under active investigation," according to the statement.
"Mr. Giroux's body will be taken to the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner in Burlington for an autopsy to determine the cause and manner of his death," it added.
The VST statement indicated that Giroux was involved in a large fight involving multiple spectators during a 7th and 8th grade boys' basketball game between Alburgh and St. Albans.
Alburgh is about an hour north of Burlington.
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Police were called at around 7pm to the Alburgh Community Education Center.
By the time he arrived, the fight was over and some of the participants left the school, VST said.
"This investigation is in its early stages and involves members of the Vermont State Police Bureau of Criminal Investigations, Field Force Division, and Victim Services Unit," VST added.
"State Police are working with Grand Isle County State's Attorney Doug DiSabito on this case."
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According to CNN affiliate WCAX, DiSabito said police are collecting video footage and information about who was there.
"In some ways, I'm at a loss for words. This should never happen," DiSabito said, according to WCAX.
"It's very sad. And it's because of the adults and I'm sad for my community," he added.
School officials issued statements Wednesday expressing shock at Giroux's death and condemning the violence that took place.
"The Maple Run Unified School District condemns the violence that occurred during the basketball game," the Maple Run Unified School District said in a statement Wednesday.
"We expect better from our communities. Fighting and violence are totally inconsistent with the behaviors we encourage and support. We always seek to foster a positive learning environment at school and at school events for our students."
"The tragic events leading up to Mr. Giroux's death have caused our schools to reevaluate school programs and community involvement."
The district said it informed school staff of the incident and is working to support students and families in "coping with the consequences of the altercation and the death of Mr. Giroux."
The district said it urges the Vermont Education Agency and Principals Association to consider how best to respond to unruly bystanders after a spate of bad behavior.
In a letter to the Alburgh community on Wednesday, the Grand Isle Supervisors Union (GISU) said its "immediate goal is to remind and educate our students and families that our school culture is one of family , community and kindness".
"In order to better support the students and staff at the Alburgh Community Education Center, GISU has arranged additional support, if needed, with our regional partners to be available around the clock."
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