Ryan Coyle, Victim of Assault at Jimmy Buffett Concert, Dies

A 20-year-old Bellmawr man died after being taken off life support following an assault at a Jimmy Buffett concert in Camden earlier this week. 

Ryan Coyle died about 7 p.m. Friday at Cooper University Hospital in Camden, according to the Camden County Prosecutor's Office. 

Now, the acquaintance who allegedly assaulted him could face more serious charges. 

Matthew Shields, 21, of Westville, was initially charged with aggravated assault and held in the Camden County Jail on $50,000 bail. 

"Attorneys with the prosecutor’s office are reviewing evidence to determine whether additional or upgraded charges will be filed," said Jason Laughlin, spokesman for the prosecutor, in a statement released Saturday evening. 

Shields approached Coyle from behind and punched him in the head in a parking lot outside the Susquehanna Bank Center about 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, shortly before Buffett's concert started. Cole fell and struck his head against the pavement, authorities said. 

Prosecutors have not disclosed the reason for the attack, or said how the two men knew each other. 

In a statement released Saturday evening through the prosecutor's office, Coyle's family said:

"Words are not enough to express the feeling of grief and loss that we have in losing Ryan. Ryan was gentle, kind, loving, full of laughter and goofiness. His nephew and all his nieces clung onto him all the time. Ryan loved sports, particularly baseball. He played with Gloucester Catholic and helped the team win a state championship. He played with Camden County College and Brooklawn Legion as well as for his hometown Bellmawr and for Clancy's Pub Pride in the Tri-State league.

"He enjoyed hunting with his brother Dennis, making fun of his sisters and golfing with his friends and Uncle Tom. Ryan brought life to wherever he showed his face. He had a tremendous gift to make people laugh no matter what the circumstances. When “in trouble”, his mom couldn’t even yell at him without laughing, well... 'cause it’s Ryan! Like when she recently came home to find red all over her kitchen because Ryan and his brother Dennis were playing Wiffle ball in the kitchen with strawberries!!! Or when he bought super soakers and ambushed two of his nieces in the house with them. Just silly stuff that was trademark Ryan. Looking at all the comments pouring into his Facebook page shows how clear it is that Ryan had such an impact on people outside his family as well.

"We know that the feeling of grief and loss extend well beyond the family. Ryan shared so many special moments with us that it would take up way too much space to share more; but those moments are written in our hearts for the rest of our lives. We appreciate the support and prayers of so many who have reached out and ask that you continue to pray for healing and peace."