The parents of Eric Pope — a gay man who allegedly was killed by a Tabu bouncer in 2022 — have filed a wrongful death lawsuit against Tabu, claiming an unsafe environment at the LGBTQ+ nightclub contributed to their son’s death.
Also named as defendants are Kenneth Frye, the bouncer who allegedly killed Pope and Mainline Private Security LLC, a security-guard company that provided Frye’s services to Tabu at the time of Pope’s death.
On April 16, 2022, Frye allegedly sucker-punched Pope outside Tabu for no apparent reason. Pope, 41, died a week later due to traumatic brain injuries. According to a surveillance video, his head struck a manhole cover on South 12th Street. Pope was a beloved educator and federal employee.
In a lawsuit filed last month, Heather and John Pope of North Port, Fl. allege that Tabu failed to maintain a safe establishment when their son was fatally punched by Frye while peacefully dancing.
“As Mr. Pope was peacefully dancing, [Frye] approached Mr. Pope and forcefully punched him in the head, completely without provocation,” the lawsuit states. “The blow — which occurred at approximately 12:54 a.m. — caused Mr. Pope to fall backwards and violently strike the back of his head on the ground.”
The lawsuit also contends two other Tabu bouncers “high-fived” each other, after Frye punched Pope.
Tabu personnel didn’t call 911 for help for Pope until 11 minutes after he was knocked unconscious by Frye, according to the lawsuit.
Moreover, medics didn’t arrive at the scene until 22 minutes after Pope was knocked unconscious. Tabu personnel allegedly told first responders Pope “was with a few other guys when he fell and hit his head,” according to the lawsuit.
Pope’s injuries included a fractured skull, severe brain injuries, respiratory failure and a fractured larynx, according to the lawsuit.
Numerous complaints have been filed against Mainline Private Security regarding alleged wrongdoing by its bouncers in unrelated incidents, according to the lawsuit.
The lawsuit accuses defendants of negligence; recklessness; assault and battery; and wrongful death. It seeks more than $50,000 in damages, including compensatory and punitive damages.
“Mr. Pope’s life was cut far too short — a life that had been dedicated to public service, community engagement and the advancement of equal rights for all,” the lawsuit states.
At the time of his death, Pope lived in the Sharswood section of Philadelphia and was employed by the Federal Reserve System. President Joe Biden sent a letter of condolence to Pope’s parents after he died, according to the lawsuit.
Neither side had a comment for this story.
The case has been tentatively assigned to Common Pleas Judge Daniel J. Anders. A jury trial has been requested.
In defense papers, Mainline Private Security objected to the Popes’ request for punitive damages, asserting there isn’t sufficient evidence to support such a request.
In a related matter, the District Attorney’s Office charged Frye with third-degree murder for the Pope homicide. But in December 2022, Common Pleas Judge Lillian H. Ransom downgraded the charge to manslaughter, noting that Frye only punched Pope once.
The DA’s Office is appealing Ransom’s ruling in Pennsylvania Superior Court, and a ruling on the appeal is expected in the near future.Meanwhile, while out on $350,000 bail for the Pope homicide, Frye allegedly looted a liquor store in West Philadelphia. Frye, 25, entered a not-guilty plea to the looting charges during a Sept. 27 preliminary arraignment. Frye remains free on bail, pending the outcome of his criminal charges.