WTC worker who ‘escaped’ 9/11 beaten to death by three teens: cops
Roger Borkum, a former World Trade Center worker who narrowly escaped the September 11, 2001 terror attacks, tragically lost his life in a brutal beating by three teenagers in Downtown Jacksonville, FL. The 64-year-old Long Island native was found severely beaten with blood pooled around his head and a blood trail extending down the sidewalk. The attackers, identified as Justin Curry, 13, Marcavion Lacey, 19, and Robert Pope, 17, were seen kicking and stomping Borkum multiple times while rummaging through his backpack.
Despite being homeless at the time, Borkum’s tragic death shocked the community. He had worked at the World Trade Center as a consultant on the 77th floor of Tower 1 and was let go just months before the 9/11 attacks, where many of his former coworkers perished. His wife, Celeste Borkum, also passed away in 2009 while on a humanitarian visit to Africa.
The three suspects were quickly arrested and indicted for murder following the attack. It was revealed that Justin Curry was only 12 years old at the time of the assault, highlighting the young age of the offenders involved in this senseless act of violence. One of the suspects claimed that Borkum had disrespected their deceased friends, although the exact details of the altercation were not provided.
The Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office emphasized the tragic consequences of such violent acts and urged parents and guardians to get involved in their children’s lives to prevent such incidents from occurring in the future. The case serves as a poignant reminder of the impact of youth violence on victims, families, and communities at large.
The untimely death of Roger Borkum, who had already narrowly escaped one tragedy, serves as a heartbreaking example of the devastating consequences of senseless violence. His life was cut short in a brutal attack that shocked the community and highlighted the need for greater intervention and support for at-risk youth. May he rest in peace, his memory forever honored by those who knew and loved him.
