Tragic Incident: Homeless Man Fatally Attacked by Group of Youths in Shocking Encounter

Three teenagers in Florida have been taken into custody for what authorities describe as a “vicious attack” on a 64-year-old homeless man. One of the teens reportedly told police that the victim had “disrespected” his deceased friends, according to court documents.

The individuals charged with murder in connection to the October 19 incident are 19-year-old Marcavion Lacey, 17-year-old Robert Pope, and 13-year-old Justin Curry. This brutal attack resulted in the death of Roger Borkum, a New York native and former World Trade Center worker, who was found severely injured and lying in a pool of blood. The details come from an arrest report by the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office.

Borkum, who once worked as a consultant on the 77th floor of Tower 1, lost his job in July 2001, just a few months before the tragic events of 9/11. His family had been out of contact with him for 24 years prior to learning of his death.

In a press release issued on Friday, the sheriff’s office stated, “On Sunday, October 19, 2025, officers from District 1 responded to an aggravated battery and found Roger Borkum had been brutally assaulted.” He was transported to a local hospital, where he succumbed to his injuries four days later.

The arrest report reveals that Borkum was discovered on the pavement with a significant amount of blood surrounding his head and a trail of blood extending down the sidewalk. Surveillance footage allegedly shows the three teenagers approaching Borkum before launching their attack.

“They crouched as if they were sneaking up on the victim,” a law enforcement officer notes in the report. “I observed all three suspects kicking and stomping on the victim. After the assault, the suspects fled the scene.”

A robbery was reported near the scene, which the teens also allegedly committed, and cops began investigating both incidents. A witness came forward and told police they saw Borkum being attacked and could identify the assailants. Authorities used their description of the teens to track them down and take them into custody, per the arrest report.

“Post Miranda, Marcavion Lacey advised there was a white dude ‘laying’ and he said something to [one of the suspects],” the report alleges. “He said [one of the suspects] stopped walking and began questioning the victim. While [the suspect] was interacting with the victim, Lacey observed the victim fall on the ground.”

Lacey allegedly told police that he and the others, whose names are redacted in the report, “weren’t trying to kill the victim.” One of the teens told police during questioning that Borkum “dissed” his “dead homies,” but he was unable to provide their names.

Surveillance video shows the group “rummaging” through a backpack that Borkum had on him after attacking him before fleeing, according to the arrest report. They returned about 20 minutes later and started assaulting him again with “multiple” kicks, the report says.

“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 said in its press release.

“JSO will continue to work closely with the state to get justice for Mr. Borkum,” the office added. “Parents and guardians, get involved in your children’s lives. There are resources available for kids to keep them out of trouble. Take action before it’s too late.”

Borkum’s obituary says he was married before becoming homeless and his wife died while on a humanitarian trip to Africa. “He himself narrowly escaped death … in late July 2001,” the obit says, in reference to his World Trade Center job. “His coworkers perished on Sept. 11.”

Cops said Curry, the youngest attacker, was just 12 years old when the assault occurred; Pope was 16. All three suspects were still behind bars Sunday.