PUTNAM COUNTY, Fla. — A student-athlete who died had complained of chest pains before attending football practice Monday, the Palatka Police Department said.
Police responded to a home in Palatka around 6:20 a.m. Tuesday to reports of “a juvenile in possible cardiac arrest,” according to a post on social media from PPD.
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Officers found the teen, later identified as 15-year-old Robert James Gillon III, had died.
Investigators found that Robert had complained of chest pains before football practice with Palatka Junior-Senior High School, went to practice, and came home.
A Putnam County School District spokesperson told Action News Jax’s Ben Ryan that Robert participated in practice and said, “Based upon our understanding of the information available, there is no suggestion that the student complained to any coach, teacher, or District staff, or that any complaint made by him was conveyed to coaches, teachers, or staff either before or after football practice.”
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The PCSD spokesperson told Ryan that it is not known who exactly Robert complained of chest pains to and that is part of PPD’s investigation.
“What we know at this time from our inquiry is that our staff was not aware at anytime,” the spokesperson said.
PPD said it appears that Robert died sometime during the night, and the initial results of his autopsy indicate that he died of natural causes.
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No foul play is suspected at this time, PPD said, and detectives are waiting for “final toxicology and blood results.”
PJSHS announced the cancellation of all athletic events and activities Tuesday after news of Robert’s death was made public.
Just before 3 p.m. Tuesday, the Putnam County Sheriff’s Office and the Putnam County School District identified Robert on their social media pages.
Putnam County Sheriff H.D. ‘Gator’ DeLoach conveyed his heartfelt condolences, saying, “There are not words to express the sorrow we feel for the family, friends, classmates, staff of Palatka Junior-Senior High and teammates of the student who died unexpectedly this morning.”
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“As parents, our hearts break for his parents. As the agency charged with the safety of our schools, our concern is now turned to the well-being of this student’s family and the students, faculty, and staff of PJSHS,” DeLoach continued.
The sheriff’s office urged the community to rally around the school and the grieving family during this difficult time. “We ask the community to lend their support to PJSHS as they navigate this difficult time while only at the beginning of the school year and to keep this child’s family in your prayers,” the statement concluded.
A prayer vigil was held Tuesday night in the school’s gym for students to remember Robert.
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