Police: Quince Orchard High School teen's death under investigation
GAITHERSBURG, Md. - Police say they are investigating the death of Montgomery County teenager after he passed away over the weekend.
Quince Orchard High School student and football player Tyler Terry died Sunday after going into cardiac arrest during a fight on the morning of Jan. 29 at a community basketball court located in the area of Hillstone Road and Timber Rock Road in Gaithersburg, according to police.
Investigators say Terry was with a group of people that went to the court to meet up for a fight with another group. The 17-year-old student and another man started fighting first that involved minimal physical contact, but police say after about two to three minutes of fighting, Terry stopped and walked away, appearing to be tired.
Police say two other fights broke out during the next five to ten minutes. During that time, Terry collapsed on the ground and became unconscious. Witnesses then called 911.
Terry was taken to a local hospital and then transported to Children's National Medical Center where he remained in intensive care until his passing on Sunday.
According to investigators, several people captured the fights as well as the teenager's collapse on their cellphones.
Montgomery County police say medical staff conducted tests to see if Terry sustained any injury during the fight, but it was found that he was not hurt from the fight. However, doctors found Terry did have a pre-existing medical condition that led to his cardiac arrest.
Montgomery County Police Major Crimes investigators are reviewing the case with the Montgomery County State's Attorney's Office to determine if any criminal charges are warranted in this case.
Terry, a linebacker at Quince Orchard, had committed to playing football at Monmouth University in the fall. He was well-respected in his community and admired by classmates, family and friends.
A GoFundMe page has been established to support the Terry family with their son's medical bills and now funeral costs.