A man expecting his first child was fatally injured in a brawl outside a Scottsdale, Arizona bar, just weeks before his wife was due to give birth, according to local authorities. The incident occurred in the early hours of October 11, when 29-year-old Thomas John Pizzitola, known as TJ, was found unconscious on a sidewalk outside Pattie’s First Avenue Lounge.
Pizzitola and two friends had been ejected from the bar for unruly behavior. A subsequent altercation ensued when one of Pizzitola’s friends reportedly bumped into a woman, court records indicate. The minor incident quickly escalated into a fight involving Pizzitola’s group and five other individuals.
During the altercation, 24-year-old Drew Meneses is alleged to have thrown a punch that resulted in a fatal brain injury for Pizzitola. According to a police statement, Pizzitola was struck in the head and fell immediately to the ground. He was rushed to the hospital but later succumbed to his injuries.
Five suspects, including Meneses, Julia Husser, 27; Krista Molina, 27; Tony Becker, 26; and Mark Whitford, 23, were arrested last Wednesday in connection with the deadly bar fight. Meneses is facing second-degree murder charges, while the others have been charged with various assault-related offenses.
Pizzitola’s wife, Krisan, is expecting their child in a few weeks. A GoFundMe page set up for the family reveals that Pizzitola had texted his wife shortly before the incident, expressing his pride in her. Krisan shared with local media that she learned of her husband’s location change to the emergency room around 3:30 a.m., prompting her to rush to the hospital.
Krisan remembered her husband as someone who aspired to be the best father and husband. Despite the tragic circumstances, Pizzitola’s family shared that he was able to save five lives through organ donation.
Meneses, during a court hearing, claimed he was having a “bad night” when he allegedly delivered the fatal punch. He is currently being held on $1 million bail. Meanwhile, the GoFundMe page for Krisan Pizzitola and their unborn child has raised over $76,000 of its $85,000 goal as of Tuesday evening.