A former college quarterback is facing serious charges after a violent incident at a Jacksonville Beach bar left a man with severe head injuries.
Seth Agwunobi, 22, who used to play football for Temple University, is accused of attacking 21-year-old Connolly Byrnes outside Mango’s Beach Bar on August 25. The attack allegedly happened after Byrnes rejected Agwunobi’s advances.
Byrnes’ mother, Lizzie Byrnes, said her son had just turned 21 a few days before and had gone out to celebrate.
Byrnes, a graduate of St. Paul’s Catholic School, suffered a fractured skull and a brain bleed. He was initially unable to breathe on his own and had to undergo surgery to remove part of his skull.
A GoFundMe page set up for Byrnes has raised over $34,000 to help with medical expenses. “Connolly will need another surgery to put his skull bone back,” the page says. “It’s a long road ahead, but we know he is strong and has our support.”
Byrnes is now in a rehabilitation center and can breathe without a ventilator. However, his mother said doctors are unsure if he will fully recover.
What Happened?
According to a police report, an off-duty officer working security at the bar was alerted to the assault. The officer found Byrnes unconscious on the sidewalk. Witnesses identified Agwunobi as the attacker.
Witnesses told police that Agwunobi had been aggressively flirting with Byrnes, who politely told him he wasn’t interested. One witness said Agwunobi joked about a TikTok meme before suddenly saying he was going to kiss Byrnes. When Byrnes turned his head away and said he wasn’t interested, Agwunobi allegedly picked him up and threw him into a barricade, causing him to hit his head on the pavement.
Another witness told police that Agwunobi had been “low-key sexually assaulting” Byrnes before the attack and that Byrnes seemed unsure of how to react.
Agwunobi told police that Byrnes had called him offensive names and had balled up his fist, making him think he was about to be hit. However, security footage from the bar confirmed the witness statements, showing Agwunobi placing his hands on Byrnes without being provoked.
Legal Consequences
Agwunobi was charged with felony battery and disorderly intoxication, though the second charge was later dropped. He is currently out on bond and has pleaded not guilty. His attorney, Jessica Goldsborough, has not commented on the case.
Agwunobi, whose bar tab showed he had consumed 14 drinks that night, told police that Byrnes had committed a hate crime against him. He claimed someone had called him a homophobic slur earlier in the evening, possibly at another bar.
Agwunobi previously worked in national sales for the PGA Tour, but a spokesperson confirmed he is no longer employed there. His father, John Agwunobi, is a well-known pediatrician and former Florida Secretary of Health.
Community Support for Byrnes
The Jacksonville Beach community has rallied around Byrnes and his family.
Krissy Thompson, principal of St. Paul’s Catholic School, said, “We are praying for him. Many families have donated to his GoFundMe. He’s improving, but there’s a long road ahead. He is a tremendous young man who needs our support.”
Byrnes is expected to stay in rehab for several months before undergoing surgery to reattach part of his skull. His family hopes he will make a full recovery.