Authorities are investigating two violent incidents that took place near Campus Corner, one of which resulted in the death of a University of Oklahoma (OU) rugby player.
Joe Pal, 23, a member of the OU rugby team, sustained fatal injuries following what is believed to have been a fight. Police discovered Pal in a parking lot in the 300 block of E. Boyd, a short distance from Campus Corner, around 4 a.m. on March 2. He was quickly transported to a local hospital, where he remained in critical condition for nearly a week. According to a GoFundMe campaign launched to assist with medical costs, Pal suffered severe brain trauma and underwent emergency surgery shortly after being admitted.
The GoFundMe page shared a message of support for Pal’s family, noting his resilience both on and off the field: "Joe is one of the toughest and most dedicated guys we know. As he fights through this challenging time, we want to rally around him and his family, ensuring they have the support they need for medical expenses, rehabilitation, and anything else that may come their way.”
On March 7, however, it was announced that Pal’s condition had worsened. The OU Rugby team confirmed in a Facebook post that Pal would be removed from life support and that his organs would be donated, as per his wishes. "We know Joe was loved by so many people, and we want to give everyone a chance to say goodbye," the post stated. "We are planning to donate his organs and tissues as Joe would’ve wanted to make as much of an impact on as many people as he could."
Norman Police are continuing to investigate the events that led up to the fight and Pal’s injuries. Police spokesperson Sarah Schettler stated that all individuals believed to be involved have been identified and are cooperating with the investigation, though no arrests have been made.
In addition to his rugby career, Pal was also a member of the National Guard. A post on his Instagram highlighted his recent achievement: "After 28 weeks I’m finally a Combat Medic!"
Meanwhile, Norman Police are also investigating another violent incident at Campus Corner. On February 15, police responded to a report of a serious injury at Norman Regional Hospital. A victim, whose identity remains unknown, was in critical condition after an altercation with a bouncer at a bar on the 500 block of University Avenue. The victim suffered a significant head injury during the fight and was transported to the hospital.
Officers interviewed witnesses at the scene and later located the bouncer, who is cooperating with the investigation. As of now, no arrests have been made in connection to this incident either.
Both cases remain under investigation, but police have noted that there is no video footage available from the scenes, as there are no public cameras in the areas where the incidents occurred. "There is no known video of either incident," Schettler said. "We are continuing to gather information and follow up on leads."
