A homeless widower who “narrowly escaped” being counted among the victims of 9/11 succumbed to wounds after allegedly being “severely beaten” by three suspects — one 12-years-old at the time.
(Video Credit: First Coast News)
Touched by tragedy throughout his life, a new horror unfolded for 64-year-old Long Island native Roger Borkum on October 19 that resulted in his death days later at the hospital. According to a press release from the Jacksonville Sheriff’s office, it was that night three suspects, now all teenagers, had been repeatedly seen “kicking and stomping” the victim later found with blood “pooled” around his head.
Last week, the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office detailed that the alleged suspects, teens aged 19-, 16- and 13-years-old, had all been arrested “within hours” of the attack and had since been charged with murder.
“On Sunday, October 19, 2025, District 1 patrol officers responded to an aggravated battery and discovered Roger Borkum had been severely beaten,” read the JSO press release. He was taken to a local hospital, where he died from his injuries four days later.”
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The Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office has arrested three young suspects, just 13, 16 and 19 years old, for their roles in a vicious attack that killed a 64-year-old man downtown.On Sunday,… pic.twitter.com/SBTESKAhz7
— Jax Sheriff’s Office (@JSOPIO) November 21, 2025
As a funeral service had been held for Borkum in Bangor, Maine the day before the Duval County grand jury had indicted the youngest suspect, an obituary for the victim published by Brookings-Smith Funeral Home had detailed how he’d lost his wife when she had died while on a humanitarian trip in Africa.
The decedent himself was said to have “narrowly escaped death” when his consulting job on the 77th floor of the World Trade Center’s Tower 1 had ended weeks before the September 11 terror attack at the end of July.
Meanwhile, the arrest report had described the level of brutality allegedly committed by the suspects as the scene had been discovered with a “blood trail extending down the sidewalk.”
According to the statements from a witness, the suspects had been seen “rummaging” through the victims backpack only to return some 20 minutes later to kick him “multiple” times as they were said to have been witnessed “battering the victim three separate times.”
With regard to a potential motive for the attack, the arrest report detailed that one of the suspects blamed Borkum for goading them into it because the homeless man had allegedly “dissed” one of their “dead homies.”
“This case is a heartbreaking reminder of how young some offenders have become and how devastating the consequences are for victims, families, and the surrounding community,” the sheriff’s office expressed. “JSO will continue to work closely with the state to get justice for Mr. Borkum.”
“Parents and guardians, get involved in your children’s lives. There are resources available for kids to keep them out of trouble. Take actions before it’s too late,” added the law enforcement agency.
According to the obituary, the victim is survived by a sister and brother, aunts and uncles, nephews, cousins and family friends.
Native of Brooklyn, NY, Kevin Haggerty is a graduate of Hunter College where he studied Cultural Anthropology and Geography. An avid reader and truth seeker, he currently resides in Texas with his wife and their dog and, when he isn't researching current events and their impacts, you'll find him spending time with friends and family or working on his next novel.
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