PHILADELPHIA (June 4, 2026) — Philadelphia District Attorney Larry Krasner issued the following statement following the conviction of Defendant Kenneth Frye for the deadly assault of Eric Pope outside of Tabu Lounge and Sports Bar in Center City in April 2022.
A Philadelphia jury convicted Defendant Kenneth Frye (DOB 12/04/1998) on Wednesday June 3, 2026 for Involuntary Manslaughter (M1).
“This is a tragic incident that resulted in the loss of life,” said District Attorney Larry Krasner. “A Philadelphia jury held Defendant Frye accountable for his crimes in no small part due to the expert prosecution of Assistant District Attorney Ashley Toczylowski of our Homicide and Non-Fatal Shooting Unit and the hard work of our law enforcement partners.”
On April 16th, 2022 before 1 a.m., Victim Eric Pope was escorted from Tabu Lounge due to his intoxication levels. While outside, Defendant Kenneth Frye, a bouncer at the lounge contracted through Mainly Private Security Company, punched Pope one time in the face. Pope was rendered unconscious, fell backwards to the ground and hit his head on the ground. Pope was transported to Jefferson University Hospital where he died days later due to blunt impact injuries to the head. Witness testimony and surveillance video from the lounge revealed Frye to be the perpetrator of the violent act.
Defendant Kenneth Frye will be sentenced by the Honorable Judge Roxanne Covington on July 31, 2026.
CONTACT:
Marisa Palmer, [email protected]