Living Mercy
High school responds to tragedy with prayers and a fundraiser
October 29, 2024
The Daniel J. Gross Catholic High School community is responding to a fatal fall at the Bellevue school by raising money for the victim’s family.
A man working for a roofing contractor fell through a skylight in Gross Catholic’s lower gym on Monday. Bellevue police identified him as Sander Gonzalez-Munoz, 24, of Omaha.
No students witnessed the fall, which occurred about 11 a.m., said Mark McNamara, vice president of advancement and director of development at the high school. Administrators used a “hold” protocol to keep students and most staff in place while some staff members tried life-saving measures before rescue crews arrived, McNamara said.
Gonzalez-Munoz was taken to a hospital but declared dead upon arrival.
Counselors from Catholic Charities of Omaha were available at Gross Catholic on Tuesday for anyone needing help following the incident.
Gonzalez-Munoz had stepped onto the skylight and fell more than 20 feet to the gym floor below, Bellevue police said. Gross Catholic notified parents about the incident on Monday afternoon, asking for prayers for the worker, his family and the rest of the roofing crew.
The school sent another notification to families Monday evening, thanking them for their prayers and informing them about the death. The high school asked for continued prayers and in “honor of this gentleman and to support his family, we will be raising funds through a dress down day on Wednesday, Oct. 30.”
Students were asked to bring a minimum of $2 to dress “in school-appropriate casual attire.” Families and others wishing to help were invited to contribute.
Donations can be made through the high school’s Venmo account @Gross-HighSchool, using the description Gonzalez.