NEW MILFORD — Police are still trying to determine how a wall-mounted cafeteria bench fell on a 7-year-old Wednesday night and killed him.



New Milford Detective Lt. Frank Ramaci said police are investigating the death of Brendan Jordan as thoroughly as possible.



"There's no evidence that this is criminal in nature," he said. "We're just doing the best we can to put the pieces together."



Brendan, a student at Gibbs Elementary School, was at an indoor soccer practice Wednesday evening at the Berkley Street Elementary School in New Milford. He chased an errant ball toward a recess in the gym wall where a fold-down table and two benches were kept.





The gym doubles as the school cafeteria, and the table and benches were mounted to the wall. Ramaci couldn't provide any detail Thursday on how exactly they were attached or whether they were attached properly.



It's also unclear what caused one of the benches—108 pounds of wood and steel—to come loose, striking Brendan on the side of his head and causing him to collapse. Brendan's coach, Bryan Mone, is also a New Milford police officer and immediately rendered first aid, Ramaci said.



When they arrived, New Milford police officers and emergency services personnel assisted him with CPR. Brendan was taken to Hackensack University Medical Center and pronounced dead at 7:30 p.m.



The school gym has since been closed, Mayor Ann Subrizi said. The family has asked for privacy while they grieve, she said.



"At this point I feel a lot less like the mayor than I do the mother," she said.



Superintendent Michael Polizzi has not returned multiple requests for comment from NJ Advance Media. He told the Record the benches were in good condition and normally secured by a key. Grief counselors were at both elementary schools Thursday.



Ramaci said counseling would also be available to his officers.



"Our hearts go out to Brendan's family who are dealing with this tragedy," he said. "I am also going to keep an open line of communication with the school superintendent and our governing body, as we must address the concerns of our community. I'm also concerned for my officers who responded to this traumatic event, and they will be afforded counseling."

Correction: An earlier version of this article said Brendan Jordan was 8. He was 7. Also, based on police information, an earlier version of this article incorrectly spelled the name of the boy killed by the table. It is Brendan Jordan, not Brenden.

Myles Ma may be reached at mma@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @MylesMaNJ. Find NJ.com on Facebook.