Bouncer Fatally Stabbed in Brawl Over New York City Smoking Ban

Associated Press ^ | 4-13-03 | AP NY Stringer

[Pharmboy]

NEW YORK (AP) - A bouncer at a Manhattan nightclub died Sunday after he was stabbed in a brawl that police said began when he tried to enforce the city's new ban on smoking in bars and restaurants. Dana Blake, 32, died about 11 hours after the late-night fight in an East Village nightclub.

Police arrested two brothers, Johnathan and Ching Chan, shortly after the fight and charged them with assault. Prosecutors had not decided Sunday whether to upgrade the charges because of Blake's death.

Blake approached the men about 2:30 a.m. to tell them they could not smoke in the bar, police spokesman Michael O'Looney said. It was unclear whether one or both men were smoking, he said.

Harsh words were exchanged and the brawl began when Blake tried to eject Johnathan Chan for disorderly behavior, witnesses told police. Blake was stabbed in the fight, but it was unclear who stabbed him or with what, O'Looney said.

The smoking ban took effect late last month.

It could not immediately be determined if the brothers had lawyers.

[Pharmboy]

Sheesh. NOT smoking in bars carries its own mortality rate.

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[Djarum]

The unintended consequences of prohibition warming up in NYC.

[klute]

It could not immediately be determined if the brothers had lawyers.

They will soon... to sue those nasty cigarette companies for making them stab someone.

[Bernard]

It could not immediately be determined if the brothers had lawyers.

Geez - bad enough one of them was smoking, but to have lawyers too? This is series.

[Pharmboy]

It could be hugh

[oceanview]

paging Ron Kuby, Ron Kuby to the manhattan house of detention...

[Cagey]

"Number One Son, did you see what Number Two and Three did? I knew if they started smoking this would happen!"

[muawiyah]

Isn't this what Mayor Bloomburg was really after - that this particular bouncer in that particular bar be killed?

[The Westerner]

Do you really think he gives a good g.d.?

[Fifth Business]

NOT smoking in bars carries its own mortality rate.

LOL! Bloomberg is bad for your health!

[since1868]

More people are killed in NYC bars do too not smoking ,then passivs smoke in bars pre Bloomberg

[Clemenza]

If Bloomberg ever considered coming to one of the "old man saloons" here in Bay Ridge, Brooklyn, HE would have to worry about his life.

Its gotten to the point that I would prefer Al Sharpton over this prissy little playboy Bloomingidiot. Nevertheless, I don't expect that the next mayor (probably Carolyn Maloney or Anthony Weiner) would repeal this. The ban is too popular with ditzy yuppie broads in Manhattan. Time for Brooklyn to secede?

[Clemenza]

Bttt

[sd-joe]

Who said second hand smoke is not deadly??

[Beck_isright]

Since it's the anti-smoking Nazis right to blame the costs and deaths of millions on second hand smoke, I say:

THE BLOOD OF THIS BOUNCER IS ON BLOOMBERG'S HANDS

...PC rant over.

[firebrand]

There is constant violence in and outside these clubs. If they weren't fighting over smoking, it would be something else.

[Malsua]

Bloomberg should be proud.

His "Tax the piss out of everthing" policy has caused the death of this man. He's a liberal that switched sides to get elected.

I'm glad I don't work in Manhatten any longer. I worked in Manhatten when there was a commuter tax...when I went to NJ working for the same company I enjoyed about a raise. When they moved me back to Manhatten, they compensated me for the tax and other fees. Course, they laid me off a couple months later...but it frames the tax policy. The company has since relocated to NJ! Eff Bloomberg.

-Mal

[Cagey]

Bloomberg has also dispatched the troopers to make sure Clubs in New York have a Cabaret license if they have patrons dancing. No smoking and dancing! That will keep NY safe. His priorities are bizarre.

[firebrand]

Ditzy Yuppie Broads for Bloomberg?