High school football player dies after being punched at party

A “bright” high school senior from Illinois died Sunday morning after being punched at a party.

Jacob J. Arter, 18, was at a bonfire with 100 other teens Saturday night when the fist fight started, news station KMOV reported. Party-goers said that a 17-year-old former teammate struck Arter, who collapsed to the ground at the private clubhouse in Clinton County, Illinois.

“I had a kid tell me that there was a kid messed up pretty bad on the ground [and that] he was unconscious,” partygoer Dakota Leroy told news station KSDK. “So, I ran over to him, tried to help him the best I could, tried to get everyone away from him to give him air, and told people to get two or three bigger guys, put him in the back seat of my car.”

The 18-year-old football player was rushed to St. Joseph’s Hospital, where he died an hour later from his injuries.

Arter was a student at Breese Central Community High School and was on track to graduate next month.

“He was a good teammate and a bright young man just going through life,” Superintendent Kevin Meyer told the Belleville News-Democrat. “We send our sympathies and condolences to the family.”

It is unclear why the fight started. Authorities have ordered an autopsy and are continuing to interview witnesses.

Clinton County Sheriff’s Office said Monday that the 17-year-old suspect was taken into custody.

“It’s an unfortunate tragedy that affects two families,” Clinton County Sheriff Doug Maue told news station KTVI.