WASHINGTON — A teenager who died after having a cardiac event after a fight had a pre-existing medical condition, doctors found.
Tyler Steven Terry, 17, of Gaithersburg, died Sunday, after suffering a cardiac event on Jan. 29.
Terry was part of a group who met an opposing group a bit before 8 a.m. at a basketball court in the area of Hillstone Road and Timber Rock Road, in Gaithersburg. They intended to engage in one-on-one fights, the Montgomery County police said in a statement.
Investigators said that Terry fought with a man from another group. After two to three minutes, that involved minimal physical contact, police said, Terry stopped fighting, walked away and appeared tired.
Two more fights happened between the two groups in a span of five to 10 minutes. During the third fight, Terry collapsed, unconscious.
Witnesses called 911, and some captured his collapse while taping the fights on their phones.
The Quince Orchard High School senior and football player was taken to a hospital, then to Children’s National Medical Center.
Tests revealed that Terry did not suffer an injury during the fight. But doctors found that he did have a cardiac event, and he had a pre-existing medical condition. No autopsy will be done due to the findings.
Quince Orchard High School principal Carol A. Working sent a letter informing the school community of Terry’s death. A team of psychologists and counselors were available Monday to students, Working said.
Terry was set to attend Monmouth University, in New Jersey and was going to play linebacker for the football team.
Police are investigating to see whether criminal charges need to be filed.
WTOP’s Mike Murillo contributed to this report.
