According to ABC 6, New Bedford Mayor Jon Mitchell said Tuesday that a former school committee member died over the weekend after being assaulted in Philadelphia earlier this month. Eric Pope, 41, was the victim of an alleged assault outside of a Philadelphia bar on April 16. He died over the weekend from the injuries that he suffered during the assault. Mayor Mitchell said, "We are grateful for his public service and commitment to the city.” 

Pope was first elected to the school committee in 2001, serving until 2010.