WHEELING, W.Va. — A Wheeling Jesuit University student attacked early Saturday morning in Wheeling died at a Pittsburgh hospital Sunday.
Wheeling police said Kevin Figaniak, 21, of Perkasie, Pa., was pronounced dead at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center at 3:05 a.m.
Figaniak, a lacrosse player, and another WJU student were jumped by three or four other men near the area of Locust Avenue and National Road just before 2 a.m. Saturday. The students reportedly were walking back to campus from a downtown club when the assault occurred.
Police said Figaniak suffered severe head trauma in the attack. He was unresponsive when emergency teams arrived. The other student was injured but refused treatment.
Wheeling police are asking anyone with information to contact them.
Wheeling Jesuit President Rev. James Fleming released the following statement Sunday:
“Today is a difficult day for our campus as we mourn the loss of a member of the Wheeling Jesuit family. It is with a heavy heart that I tell you that Kevin Michael Figaniak, WJU class of 2014, passed from this life quietly and peacefully surrounded by his family and friends.
“Kevin spent the last three years at Wheeling Jesuit forging friendships and in his final hours, Kevin was surrounded by those friends and his family, who, through their love and prayers, brought Kevin home to Jesus.
“We ask you to please keep Kevin, his family and the entire Wheeling Jesuit community in your prayers. Our main concern at this time is for Kevin’s family and our students.”