Thornwood High School security guard Richard Cowser died while trying to break up a fight between two girls at the suburban Chicago school.
Cowser was injured when he fell into a locker before he was rushed to the hospital. It is unclear exactly what happened.
“It’s devastating. But this should be a learning experience for the students,” said parent Toya King, according to ABC on Friday
Police said that Cowser, when he fell, had trouble breathing. He was taken to the hospital and was later pronounced dead.
“For whatever reason, he fell into a locker. And once he fell into a locker, he fell down to the floor,” Chief Greg Baker, South Holland Police Department, said.
Cowser’s sister said that he was in good health and was a bodybuilder.
“He was a great man. He took care of me, he guided me,” wife Janet Cowser told NBC. “He didn’t let us stray and get lost. He was right there, he was the strong one, I was the one who followed right behind him.”
Both the students, who are 17 and 18, are being interviewed.
The fight apparently started over a pair of designer jeans.
Cowser was a graduate of the high school.
“Everybody’s hurt. People I never thought would cry, cried,” student Janez Winston told NBC.
