The Hudson County Prosecutor’s Office said on Thursday that the death of a Jersey City teen after he was “play fighting” with a friend appears not to be “malicious.”
Hudson County Prosecutor Edward DeFazio said Ian Artola, 14, of Bowers Street, died after he was punched in the chest and suffered cardiac arrest at around 5 p.m. Wednesday.
DeFazio said cause of death is pending further medical study to check if a pre-existing heart condition may have had a part in Artola’s death.
DeFazio said Artola and a friend were sparring at about 5 p.m. inside the park at Terrace Avenue and Thorne Street when he collapsed. DeFazio said other juveniles in the park tried to revive Artola but were unsuccessful.
DeFazio said, “They were sparring, play acting. It does not appear they were angry at each other.”
DeFazio also said description in published reports about Artola being part of a “fight club” or involved in a “boxing match” is a “mischaracterization” of what took place.