Gaithersburg Teen Dies After Fight On Basketball Court

GAITHERSBURG, MD —The Quince Orchard High School community is mourning the death of a senior who played linebacker for the school's football team. Tyler Steven Terry, 17, passed away Sunday after he was hospitalized for nearly two weeks at Children's National Hospital with a heart condition.

Terry was hospitalized after he suffered a cardiac event during a physical altercation at a local Gaithersburg basketball court on the morning of Monday, Jan. 29, police said. Doctors determined Terry had a pre-existing condition and the injuries he sustained in the fight were unrelated to his death.

Police were called to the court at Hillstone Road and Timber Rock Road for the report of a teenage male who appeared to be in cardiac arrest. Investigation revealed that two groups of people met at the basketball court with the intention of fight, Montgomery County Police said.

Terry and an adult male from the other group fought first. The fight between Terry his opponent involved minimal physical contact, police said. After about two to three minutes of fighting, Terry stopped fighting and walked away, appearing as if he were tired, police said.

Two additional fights between individuals from the opposing groups occurred during the next five to ten minutes, police said. While the third fight was occurring, Terry collapsed on the ground and became unconscious. Witnesses called 9-1-1 and several witnesses captured the three fights and Terry’s collapse on cell phone videos, police said.

Terry was transported to Children's National Hospital where tests were conducted to determine if he sustained any injury during the fight. No injury was detected and medical personnel determined Terry had suffered a cardiac event and confirmed the presence of a pre-existing medical condition, police said.

Major Crimes investigators will review this case with the Montgomery County State’s Attorney’s Office to determine if any criminal charges are warranted, police said.

The Gaithersburg native was set to play linebacker at The Monmouth University in New Jersey and was planning to major in accounting. He helped Quince Orchard High School to a 13-2 record in 2017 and a second straight state final appearance, according to a news release from The Monmouth University.

"The thoughts and prayers of the Monmouth Football Family go out to the Terry Family during this very difficult time," Monmouth Head Coach Kevin Callahan said. "Words cannot express the sorrow that we feel for their loss. We are proud to say that Tyler will always be a Monmouth Hawk."

Twitter users have taken to the site to remember Terry, using the hashtag #6Strong after his Quince Orchard football number.

A GoFundMe page has been created to help the Terry family pay for medical and funeral costs. As of Tuesday afternoon, $18,243 has been raised.

Photos via The Monmouth University Department of Athletics and Football program and GoFundMe