Clearwater, Florida -- A former bouncer at a Clearwater Beach restaurant turned himself in Wednesday morning after police say he caused the death of a patron on Oct. 14.
Clearwater Police detectives say 43-year-old Paul Stucker was working at the Brown Boxer on Mandalay Avenue when he tried to remove David McTamney from the bar because McTamney was reportedly drunk and was disruptive.
Stucker grabbed McTamney, a 51-year-old man from Pennsylvania, in a full-nelson style wrestling hold as he attempted to move him toward the exit around 12:31 that morning.
The two fell to the ground after they exited the building, and Stucker kept McTamney in a choke hold as he lay on top of him. Stucker kept up that hold for about two minutes, even though the victim stopped moving or resisting and despite the fact they were off bar property.
"There were several people who said let him go, you've got him out, let him go, and he just kept him in this hold for two minutes while the victim began to turn blue and stopped breathing," said Clearwater police spokesperson, Rob Shaw.
Once Stucker did release his hold, some bystanders attempted to perform CPR on the victim, but it did not work.
A 10 News viewer commented on WTSP.com's story when the information was released that McTamney died. The viewer wrote on the comment wall of the story and said:
Sadly, I was there and performed CPR on this man when I was asked for help. I approached him to find him unconscious and blue. Not one of the 20 witnesses were doing "anything" to help this man. He was sloppy but not disorderly. There needs to be a full investigation. This was a brutal unnecessary attack on a man who lost his life. I have been physically sick for days over this.
10 News reached out to McTamney's family. His wife, Colette responded with this statement:
I am aware that an arrest has been made for the killing of my husband, David McTamney. I am very appreciative of the work of the Clearwater Police Department, and I have every confidence that justice will be served. David was a very kind and caring man. He was a wonderful father to our two young children, and a great husband, son, uncle and friend. We have suffered a very tragic and senseless, loss. We are very thankful for the prayers and concerns of many, and trust you understand and respect our request for privacy as we move through this very difficult time. Thank you. Colette McTamney
The Brown Boxer owner, Jay Thomas III said this:
"The Brown Boxer family is heartbroken over this situation."
McTamney was taken to Morton Plant Hospital, where he was pronounced dead later that morning.
The Pinellas-Pasco County Medical Examiner's Office ruled the death a homicide by asphyxiation.
Stucker has been charged with manslaughter.
