Emerson Phillips
A bouncer who punched a man outside a bar in Philadelphia Saturday night is facing third-degree murder charges.
Videos by Rare
41-year-old Eric Pope died from the injuries he sustained from the single blow outside Tabu Lounge and Sports Bar in Philladeiphia’s Center City.
The bouncer involved in the investigation is Kenneth Frye, 24. Philadelphia police have a warrant out for Frye’s arrest, according to CBS3 TV in Philly.
“Eric was a very, very kind person,” Devon Trotter, Pope’s friend, said. “Always in a good mood, always smiling, always there to make you feel good. Warm, gentle person.”
Sources said Pope was escorted out of the bar for being intoxicated around 1AM – he was outsied the bar in the street when he was punched. After the punch, Pope fell to the street and hit his head on the pavement.
Here’s the video obtained by CBS3:
Pope remained on the ground for nearly two minutes, until the bouncer and another person dragged him onto the sidewalk. Pope was eventually taken to the hospital and put on life support and later died from his injuries.
Per CBS3, the owner of Tabu says Frye was contracted out by a private security firm.
“The bouncer involved was not an employee of Tabu and the incident in question did not occur on our property,” Tabu’s owner told CBS3. He added that Tabu management immediately called 911 when they learned what happened and are cooperating with police in the investigation.
Pope was visiting from his hometown of Washington, D.C.
CBS3 is reporting that Frye has not turned himself into police.
Brutality or abuse is not the answer in Public Safety issues. That Club Tabu knows they are on the hook for that homicide committed by their contracted employee as is the Security Guard Company. Having worked in Clubs we always knew just get them safely off the property and into the street. Their are cases going back 100 years where bar staff have been held responsible for harm caused to patrons.