According to a report from the Santa Monica Police Department, a man from Venice is accused of assaulting the manager of a bar in Santa Monica, leaving him in a coma. The man was charged with murder after the bar manager passed away on June 13.
Lieutenant Erika Aklufi revealed that 26-year-old Leonard Hector Korpie was arrested on the day of the incident and was identified as the primary suspect on June 13.
In the early hours of June 11, the Santa Monica police responded to a call about a conflict near Jameson’s Pub on Main Street in the 2700 block. Police stated that a violent altercation erupted on the street shortly after several bar patrons, including Korpie, were asked to leave at midnight.
Korpie allegedly assaulted the bar manager outside, causing him to lose consciousness.
When the police arrived, the unnamed manager had stopped breathing and was unresponsive to CPR and other life-saving measures. The manager was later taken to the hospital where he was pronounced dead.
Three customers were arrested on suspicion of involvement in the altercation, but only Korpie was charged.
Aklufi said that Korpie is currently being held on a $2 million bail.
Authorities are urging anyone with information on the case to contact Detective Hector Tavera at [email protected] or call 310-458-8427 to reach the on-duty commander.