Teens Ambush and Kill Former World Trade Center Consultant in Brutal Jacksonville Attack, Police Say

JACKSONVILLE, FL — Police say a group of Florida teens carried out a “vicious attack” on a 64-year-old homeless man — a former World Trade Center consultant who narrowly survived the Twin Towers months before 9/11 — beating him so severely that he died days later.

The victim, Roger Borkum, had been living on the streets in Jacksonville when the assault occurred. Detectives say the teens sneaked up on him from behind before unleashing a deadly beating that left him in a pool of blood on the sidewalk.

Victim Was a Former WTC Consultant Who Left Tower 1 Weeks Before 9/11

According to his obituary, Borkum was once a consultant on the 77th floor of Tower 1 at the World Trade Center. He lost his job in July 2001, only weeks before the terrorist attacks. His former coworkers did not survive.

After years of personal hardship, including the death of his wife during a humanitarian trip, Borkum became estranged from his family and eventually homeless.

His family had not seen him in 24 years before receiving the news of his death.

Police Say Teens Crouched Behind Him and Ambushed Him Without Warning

According to the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office, the deadly attack happened on Oct. 19 near a business area on the city’s Eastside. Deputies found Borkum lying on the ground with a pool of blood around his head and a trail stretching down the sidewalk.

Surveillance footage, police say, shows the teens — identified as Marcavion Lacey (19), Robert Pope (17), and Justin Curry (13) — sneaking up on Borkum before kicking and stomping him repeatedly.

“They crouched down as though they were sneaking up on the victim,” an officer wrote in the arrest report.

After beating Borkum, the teens allegedly rummaged through his backpack and fled.

But the cruelty didn’t stop there.

Teens Returned to Attack Him Again, Police Say

Investigators say the trio came back 20 minutes later and assaulted Borkum again, delivering repeated kicks as he lay helpless on the ground.

A witness who observed the beating identified the suspects, helping police make the arrests.

Borkum was hospitalized but died four days later from his injuries.

Suspects Gave Conflicting Stories — One Claimed Victim ‘Dissed Dead Homies’

During interviews, Lacey allegedly told investigators that the victim made a comment to one of the teens, prompting the confrontation — though he could not specify what was said.

Another teen claimed Borkum “dissed” his “dead homies,” though he could not give their names.

Police said the teens insisted they “weren’t trying to kill” Borkum, but surveillance and witness accounts tell a very different story.

All three suspects — including 13-year-old Curry, who was only 12 at the time — were charged with murder and remain in custody.

Sheriff: ‘A Heartbreaking Reminder of How Young Some Offenders Have Become’

The Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office condemned the attack, urging parents to stay engaged in their children’s lives.

“This case is a heartbreaking reminder of how young some offenders have become,” the department said.
“Parents and guardians, get involved before it’s too late.”

Community members have expressed sadness and outrage over the killing of a man who survived the World Trade Center and decades of hardship — only to lose his life in such a senseless act of violence.

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