SANTA MONICA, Calif. — A tragic incident unfolded outside Jameson’s Pub when a California man allegedly threw a single punch, resulting in the death of a bar manager. The suspect, Leonard Hector Korpie, has been charged with murder and has entered a plea of not guilty.
According to a police news release, the incident occurred on Tuesday at around midnight. Officers were called to the bar, located on Main Street, after a report of a battery. Witnesses say a fight broke out on the street after the bar manager asked several patrons to leave. During the altercation, one of the patrons punched the manager, causing him to lose consciousness.
Upon arrival, the officers found the manager unresponsive and not breathing. Efforts to revive him were made through CPR until the Santa Monica Fire Department arrived. Sadly, the bar manager was pronounced dead at a hospital.
Santa Monica police Lt. Erika Aklufi revealed that the fatal blow occurred during an argument on the sidewalk. The victim likely struck his head on the ground as he fell, leading to his untimely demise. Aklufi voiced concern over the role alcohol played in enabling such a tragic event to escalate beyond control.
Following an investigation, the police identified Leonard Hector Korpie as the primary suspect responsible for the deadly assault. He has been taken into custody and booked into the Santa Monica Jail.
The news of the bar manager’s death shook regular patrons of Jameson’s Pub. One individual expressed sadness over the loss, emphasizing that the bar manager had acted bravely in attempting to break up the fight. Others attested to the typically peaceful atmosphere of the pub, stating they had never witnessed any violence there.
Leonard Hector Korpie’s bail has been set at $2 million, with a preliminary hearing scheduled for July 17 to determine the next steps in the legal proceedings.