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Philadelphia PD

A Philadelphia looting suspect who ransacked a liquor store was out on bond for beating a gay man to death last year.

Kenneth Frye, 24, was among the suspects accused of ransacking the Fine Wine & Good Spirits store in West Philadelphia on Tuesday.

At least 18 state-run liquor stores were broken into during the looting spree in Philadelphia City Center.

The Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board closed all 48 of its Philadelphia retail locations on Wednesday.

Frye was already out on bond for manslaughter when he was arrested Tuesday night. He faces charges of burglary, breaking and entering, riot with the intent to commit a felony, and more.

Frye was a bouncer at the Tabu nightclub in April 2022 when he escorted Eric Pope out of the club, then sucker punched him.

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Philadelphia PD

Pope hit his head on the sidewalk and lapsed into a coma. He died a week later in an intensive care unit.

During a July 2022 hearing, Municipal Judge Karen Y. Simmons said Frye “acted with malice when he punched Pope in the face for no apparent reason.”

In December 2022, Common Pleas Judge Lillian H. Ransom dismissed his third-degree murder charge without explanation.

On January 20, 2023, the Philadelphia DA’s Office filed a notice of appeal, stating that Ransom erred when she dismissed Frye’s third-degree murder charge.

The DA’s spokesperson, Jane Roh told Philadelphia Gay News that the DA “fully intends to pursue justice in this matter as we do in all criminal matters: guided by the facts and the law.”