Police search for man who threw a deadly punch

MIAMI (WSVN) -- Police are searching for a man who they believe sucker punched a man on Halloween, leading him to hit his head and die.

It was Halloween night and Mary Brickell Village was packed with people celebrating in costumes. Police said there was an altercation that resulted in one man dying.

Officials said the fight that occurred at the Greek restaurant Taverna Opa was not long, but deadly. The man they are looking for threw one punch and knocked out Patrick Prevatte, and caused him to fall, hit his head on the ground and die.

Prevatte had only been in Miami a month before the incident happened. He was rushed to the hospital that night but did not survive the severe head injury.

Surveillance video at Taverna Opa caught the man police believe is responsible for Prevatte's death, and now they need the public's help locating him. "This had only been minutes before midnight, on Halloween night," said Detective Willie Moreno.

The man was seen on Halloween night wearing a white hat with a black stripe, khaki shorts or pants and a blue collared, short-sleeve shirt.

Prevatte's mother is devastated about her son's passing and wants the public to come forward with any information so that she can explain to his 6-year-old daughter what happened to her father. "He was only 40 years old," said Joyce Prevatte. "He was in the prime of his life, which ended that night suddenly and for no reason."

Police are not sure what caused the fight in the first place. They want to talk to anyone who was at Taverna Opa on Halloween and may have seen the fight. They would like to speak to the man seen on surveillance wearing the hat as well as another man who was standing nearby him wearing a mask. "He was not wearing that mask the entire night," said Moreno, "so people who were at this party know what he looks like."

If you were there and think you saw something that can help investigators, call Miami-Dade Crime Stoppers at 305-471-TIPS. Remember, you can always remain anonymous, and you may be eligible for a reward.

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