Marquis Brown, a running back at Football Championship Subdivision school Duquesne University, has died after he fell from a 16th-floor window of a residence hall on Thursday, October 4.
According to a letter from university president Ken Gormley, Brown tragically died at a Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania-area hospital after falling from a dorm room window at an on-campus building around 10:30 p.m.
Furthermore, the letter starts that after campus police arrived in response to a reported disturbance, Brown jumped out of a 16th-floor window of Brottier Hall. He was immediately rushed to Mercy Hospital where he was later pronounced dead.
The Pittsburgh Police Department is currently investigating the incident.
You can read President Gormley’s full letter to the university students and staff below, via Facebook:
Dear Members of the Duquesne Community,
It is with great sadness that I report that we had a tragedy on campus last night, at approximately 10:30 p.m. A student athlete on the University’s football team, Marquis Brown, a junior from Washington, D.C. in the McAnulty College of Liberal Arts, jumped out of a 16th floor window of Brottier Hall after campus police arrived in response to a reported disturbance. Marquis was taken to Mercy Hospital where he later died. His family has arrived and is coping with this tragedy.
Members of the University leadership team, staff, counselors, priests and Campus Ministry were engaged throughout the night, helping students deal with these tragic events. There was also an opportunity for students to gather in the Chapel on campus for prayer, and many did so. University staff are continuing to assist in every way possible. Counselors have been made available at our Counseling and Wellbeing Center for any student, faculty or staff member in need of support. Spiritan Campus Ministry staff has also been made available. Additionally, counselors are reaching out to students around the campus.
A Memorial Service for Marquis is being planned on campus, likely on Sunday evening. Further information will be sent to you as it is available. Please join me in praying for Marquis, his family, and his many friends and teammates during this time of great sadness for the entire campus community. May he rest in peace.
Sincerely,
President Ken Gormley
Our thoughts and prayers are with Brown’s loved ones during this difficult time.
