Eric Pope: Tributes pour in for “caring” gay patron who died after being punched by bouncer
gaytimes.co.ukA nightclub bouncer is facing third degree murder charges for allegedly punching a gay patron who later died because of the hit.
Eric Pope was taken outside of the Tabu Lounge and Sports bar in Philadelphia “for being intoxicated” just before 1am local time on 16 April, according to the city’s police force. “The bouncer punched the victim once when the victim was outside the Club.
The victim fell to the ground unconscious,” Officer Miguel Torres explained to The Standard-Times. “The victim was not responsive when the medics arrived.
CPR was performed by Medic #1, who then transported the 41-year-old Eric Pope … to Jefferson Hospital in critical condition.” Eric died a week later on 23 April as a result of injuries he sustained from being hit and falling to the floor, with police putting out a warrant for the arrest of Kenneth Frye, 24, four days later. “A District Attorney’s Office victim/witness coordinator and member of the DAO LGBTQ+ Advisory Committee established contact with family members of the victim last week [days after he was hospitalised] and has been offering supportive services,” the Philadelphia District Attorney’s Office, as reported by the Los Angeles Blade.
