Roger Borkum, 64, escaped the horrors of 9/11 by quitting his World Trade Center job two months before the terrorist attacks. But the former consultant’s life took a tragic turn when he was savagely beaten to death by three teenagers in Jacksonville, Florida.
Triple Attack Leaves Victim Dead
The horrific assault happened on the evening of 19 October 2025. Borkum was attacked three separate times that night, suffering severe blunt force trauma to his head and body. A witness later found him with blood pooling around his head and trailing on the pavement. He died four days later on 23 October.
Teens Charged with Murder – Even 13-Year-Old Faces Adult Court
- Three teenagers – 19-year-old Marcavion Lacey, 16-year-old Robert Pope, and 13-year-old Justin Curry – have been charged with murder.
- Police nabbed the suspects within hours, thanks to witness descriptions.
- All three now face adult court charges, despite their ages, sparking debate over juvenile justice.
- The 13-year-old’s indictment was confirmed by a grand jury on 20 November.
The State Attorney’s Office defended the decision, stating: “The juvenile justice system is neither designed nor equipped to handle offenders or offences of this magnitude.”
Violent Motive and Search for Answers
During one attack, the teens rifled through Borkum’s rucksack while he was already hurt. One suspect alleged Borkum insulted their deceased friends, though police say this claim is unverified. Investigators are still trying to piece together the motives behind the brutal triple assault.
A witness-led police investigation was swift, uncovering crucial details that led to the suspects’ arrests.
From Wall Street to Homelessness and Tragedy
Originally from Long Island, New York, Borkum worked on the 77th floor of the North Tower until July 2001. All his colleagues perished when the towers collapsed on 11 September 2001 – a grim twist that haunts his family.
His exit from the WTC months before saved his life, but how he ended up homeless in Jacksonville remains a mystery. Adding to his family’s sorrow, his wife Celeste died in 2009 during a humanitarian trip to Africa.
His sister Deborah told the Florida Times-Union:
“Roger was a soft-spoken man who cared for everyone he met. We don’t know what happened to cause him to become homeless, but he was a man of integrity and hard work. He is missed greatly.”
Brutal Beating Ends a Life Marked by Survival and Loss
The medical examiner confirmed blunt force trauma caused Borkum’s death. The ferocity of multiple attacks paints a grim picture of violence inflicted on a vulnerable man who had already beaten the odds once.
From escaping one of the deadliest terrorist attacks in history to falling victim to street violence decades later, Roger Borkum’s story is a heartbreaking twist of fate.
