A Columbia man died Friday afternoon after he apparently fell from scaffolding outside Precious Gifts on Main Street in Ellicott City, according to Howard County police.
Around 3:35 p.m., police were called to the scene behind a business in the 8200 block of Main Street, where they found John Peter Pacylowski Jr., 67, of Columbia, deceased. Pacylowski ran Precious Gifts alongside his wife, Sun, over the last 20 years. According to his obituary on the Harry H. Witzke's Family Funeral Home website, the married couple were rebuilding their store following the July 30 flood.
Although the investigation is ongoing, police said they believe his death to be an accident.
This story has been updated.