A Halloween celebration at a Miami restaurant bar turned deadly when a man hit his head after being punched to the ground, police say.
Now, authorities are seeking the public’s help to find the man responsible for Patrick Shane Prevatte’s death.
The attack happened at about 1 a.m. Nov. 1 at Taverna Opa at 900 S. Miami Ave., police said.
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There was a festive atmosphere at the restaurant at the time because people were celebrating Halloween, police said. Then “for some reason, there was some sort of verbal altercation that quickly escalated into a physical one," said Miami Police spokesman Willie Moreno.
Prevatte, 40, was punched by a man wearing a distinct white hat, causing him to fall to the ground and hit his head, police said. He was taken to Jackson Memorial Hospital, where he later died, police said.
Prevatte’s mother, Joyce Prevatte, of South Carolina, said it appeared to be “a tragic accident."
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She said her son had recently moved to Miami from Tampa, excited about taking a new job at a technology company.
"He had just gotten news of a promotion that day, and I think he was going out to celebrate,” Joyce Prevatte said. “He ate at the restaurant from what we understand."
She said her son was a “very loving father” who was “very devoted” to his 6-year-old daughter. "He was always smiling,” his mother said.
Police ask anyone with information about the fatal attack to call Miami-Dade Crime Stoppers at 305-471-8477.
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