A bouncer was beaten to death yesterday at a Queens, New York Guyanese restaurant and bar and two men have since been taken into custody.
The New York Daily News reported today that Elsworth “Dale” Reid was killed during a scuffle while working as a bouncer at Johnny’s restaurant early yesterday.
Two men 31-year-old Deonarine Deoraj and 48-year-old Harrydatt Nandalall — were arrested for the assault, the report said. Both were charged with manslaughter and gang assault.
The report said that Reid, a newlywed was killed after breaking up a fight inside Johnny’s Restaurant and Bar. It said that the assault on him continued even after he stopped breathing.
Reid, 43, intervened when a fight erupted at the bar between two patrons around 1:20 a.m., witnesses told his wife.
The brawlers then joined forces to attack Reid. His wife, Laverne Reid was told that her husband landed hard on the back of his head and neck — and never moved again.
“When he fell, all the guys started jumping in and hitting on him as he’s laying there and that was it,” his devastated wife told the Daily News.
The 46-year-old Reid — who married Elsworth just six months earlier — said more attackers piled on once her husband was lying helplessly on the ground.
He was rushed to Jamaica Hospital but could not be saved.
The investigation continued last night, the report said. Police at the scene were hunting for security video at neighbouring buildings, and Laverne Reid said the bar had security cameras as well.
“I’m stunned, I’m so sad,” said pal Bobbie Stanley, 48, who works as a dispatcher with the Sunshine Car Service — just a few blocks from the Ozone Park bar.
“He was a non-drinker, and he was a really big guy,” she continued. “The saddest part is he just got married”, the report quoted her as saying.
Both Laverne Reid and Stanley said the busy bar had a reputation for fights.
“I’m not surprised,” Stanley told the News. “They always have barroom fights there. Cops are always over there on the weekend. People there can’t hold their liquor.”
Laverne Reid, who met her husband when she started working at the bar three years ago, echoed Stanley’s description.
“It’s always violent — I know myself, working there,” said the former Johnny’s waitress. “They always have fights. And he’s always there to separate them, made sure no one got hit.”
Her husband often complained about the number of fistfights inside the bar, said Laverne.
