An Illinois man died after a confrontation with another man who allegedly made obscene gestures at his daughter.
Michael Tingling, 59, and his 15-year-old daughter were leaving the girl’s school when another man confronted them Wednesday, March 19, 2014, according to our sister station WGN.
Police said 59-year-old Joseph Firek made “inappropriate gestures” toward the girl. When Tingling stepped in to protect her, Firek allegedly shoved him and then punched him in the chest.
Tingling and his daughter went to a nearby business to get away from Firek. That’s where Tingling collapsed. He was taken to a hospital where he died a short time later.
An autopsy showed Tingling, a retired boxer, died of heart disease and that a secondary cause of his death was stress due to an altercation.
His death was ruled a homicide.
Firek was arrested, and was expected to appear in court Friday, March 21.
Department of Corrections records show Firek was paroled from prison in early January 2014. Firek has multiple prior Illinois convictions for burglary.
