Man dies after suffering head injury at Riot Fest

An Arlington Heights man has died after being injured at Riot Fest in Chicago on Sept. 22.

Stephen Shult, 58, died Thursday at Stroger Hospital, according to the Cook County medical examiner’s office.

A Chicago police spokesman said Saturday doctors told police Shult suffered a blunt-trauma injury due to a fall. He said police filed a preliminary noncriminal death report Friday, and that there may be further investigation.

According to a GoFundMe post by his daughter, she and Shult attended the music festival together, but separated before the last band’s performance. He failed to meet her at the end, but she found him by asking Riot Fest attendees via the event’s Facebook page.

The post said Shult underwent treatment for brain swelling and bleeding on the brain.

The Chicago Sun-Times reported that his family believes Shult may have been injured in a mosh pit near a stage where the band Slayer was going to perform. But Riot Fest organizers disputed that in a Facebook post, saying on-site medical workers treated Shult near a Ferris wheel, before Slayer’s performance.

“We are heartbroken to share that a festival attendee passed away yesterday. Our deepest condolences go out to his family, friends, and loved ones during this incredibly challenging time,” festival organizers posted on the organization’s Facebook page.