Massachusetts

Man Dies Weeks After Attack at Lawrence Senior Center, Family Says

A man has died after suffering a head injury last month in a fight at a Massachusetts senior center.

The family of Jose Puello says he was attacked on Sept. 16 in the pool hall of the Lawrence Senior Center. He was just 11 days shy of his 61st birthday at the time, but family members say he never woke up.

"Push him to the windows, and he break the window with his head," said the victim's sister, Ana Mercedes Puello. "My brother was in a coma for like 25 days, then he passed away last Saturday."

Puello had three children, including Melvin, who has been visiting regularly from Florida.

"This is heartbreaking for me," Melvin Puello said. "My dad was my hero to me. Unfortunately, somebody tried to harm my dad, and I'm never going to see my dad ever again after this."

"Our sincerest condolences go out to Mr. Jose Puello's family on the passing of their loved one," the senior center said in a statement. "We respectfully request that you contact the district attorney's office regarding any further questions you may have."

Melvin Puello says the senior center and police have been of little help.

"No help. No answers. It's going to be a month and I still don't have a police report," he said. "We need the person who did this to be behind bars."

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