Teen Critically Injured After Fall From School Roof Passes Away

DENVER, Colo. (CBS4) - A teen critically injured after falling off the roof of Denver Academy has passed away.

The Denver Police Department released a twitter message Saturday night confirming his death.

Also Saturday, a GoFundMe page was started for Paul Kinningham's funeral arrangements.

"Paul Kinningham was only 17 when he lost his life to a tragic accident on April 8, 2017," according to the GoFundMe post. "He was generous and kind to all he met."

On Saturday, CBS4's Melissa Garcia spoke with a friend of the victim who witnessed the fall. The friend said Kinningham was part of a group playing a game of capture the flag.

"Right as I looked over, I saw someone just fall and hit the ground," said Peter Mesropov, a sophomore who attends Colorado's Finest High School of Choice in Englewood.

Mesropov said that he and four friends were playing tag Friday night on the roof of the private academy when Kinningham fell off and landed on his head.

"There was like a ledge, and there was a gap that you couldn't see that led to the ground. And I'm pretty sure he just tripped and fell down there," Mesropov explained. "All I saw was just Paul lying there. And there was blood on his head and in his nose."

He called 911 and began CPR until paramedics arrived and took over.

Denver police arrived at the scene on Iliff Avenue near Colorado Boulevard shortly after 8 p.m.

"Our investigators now are looking at the fall," said John White, a spokesman with the Denver Police Department. "It does not at this point appear to be criminal in nature."

The 17-year-old victim had just graduated from Clorado's Finest High School of Choice, and had recently begun classes at Arapahoe Community College, Mesropov said.

"He was a really kind and generous guy. He was always willing to help out a friend," Mesropov said of his friend.

The critical injury fall was no surprise to Greg Coffey, who lives across the street from Denver Academy.

"I've been here a long time and there's been a lot of people over there. It's a nice campus and it's pleasant to visit there so it's not surprising," Coffey said. "They're going to put some kiboshes to the access on the campus, I'm sure."

A Denver Academy spokeswoman declined an interview on-camera but released a statement, in part saying:

"The boys involved are not students of Denver Academy ... our hearts and thoughts go out to this young man and his family."

Mesropov said that he had learned something from the frightening incident.

"I realize that life is pretty fragile. And if you make the wrong mistakes, it can just end," he said.

He said that the victim lives near the school where he fell.

Entire Statement From Denver Academy

All of us at Denver Academy are deeply saddened by the incident that occurred on our campus Friday night involving the critical injury of a teenager. We do not know why this group of boys were on our grounds on Friday evening. There was not an event happening on campus on Friday night and the boys involved are not students of Denver Academy.

We are working with the Denver Police Department on their investigation and are not able to share any additional information at this time. Our hearts and thoughts go out to this young man and his family.