Parents release statement after UD student killed while attending Astroworld Festival in Houston

DAYTON — The parents of University of Dayton student killed while attending the Astroworld Festival in Houston, Texas over the weekend are asking for time and space while mourning his death.

“Te amamos mucho hijo (we love you very much son),” said Teresita and Julio C Patino, parents of UD Senior Franco Patino, in a statement to News Center 7 Monday morning. “We’re comforted by the impact Franco made on hundreds of people over the years and that they will carry a piece of him from now on.”

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Franco Patino, 21, a senior from Naperville, Illinois, was killed at the concert on Friday, November 5, 2021.

At least eight people were killed after a crowd of nearly 50,000 people surged during the festival, launched three years ago by rapper Travis Scott, in Houston.

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Patino was a mechanical engineering technology major with a minor in human movement biomechanics, a University of Dayton statement said.

Patino was a member of Alpha Psi Lambda, a Hispanic interest fraternity, as well as the Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers at UD. He was also currently working in an engineering co-op program in Mason, Ohio, according to the release.

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The campus is also mourning the death of another student who passed away this week.

Parker Spindle, from Grand Rapids, Michigan, died November 3 in Grand Rapids, according to the release. Spindle was an upperclassman in the College of Arts and Sciences.

Campus ministers, the dean of students office, housing and residence life, and counseling staff are available for students.

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