PONCHATOULA – Two men have been arrested on manslaughter charges after another man died Tuesday from an apparent beating he received inside of a bar Sunday, according to Ponchatoula Police.
Police said that an altercation in the Ponchatoula Pub left 46-year-old Robert Bowers knocked unconscious after struck by Azia Crockett, 27, and Ryan Anthony, 24.
Police said after being struck by Crockett and Anthony, Bowers received immediate medical attention from a volunteer fireman from Ponchatoula until he was taken by ambulance to North Oaks Medical Center and then the University Medical Center.
Bowers was placed on life support before he died Tuesday night.
Crockett and Anthony turned themselves in to police and were booked on one count of felony manslaughter into the Tangipahoa Parish Jail.
Family members told WBRZ-TV in Baton Rouge that Bowers, a Louisiana resident, was a fan of the Alabama Crimson Tide and had gone to the bar to watch the LSU game earlier that night. His family members said they believe the attack was motivated by Bowers' fandom.
Police, however, are still investigating whether the fact that Bowers was an Alabama fan had anything to do with the fatal beating.
"He was wearing Alabama gear. We can’t confirm that’s what the actual first argument about. He had a niece that was there that we believe was instigating and agitating the situation. Just prior to the fight, she was removed by security," Ponchatoula Chief Bry Layrisson said.
Police said the altercation happened after Bower's niece was removed from the bar.
"It appears Mr. Bowers was in a verbal argument with Azia Crockett and while they were in a verbal argument, Ryan Anthony struck him in the head, knocking him to the ground, possibly knocking him unconscious. Then once he was on the ground, Azia Crockett jumped on top of him and punched him multiple times as well," Layrisson said.
Bower's roommate, Chuck Passman, said Bowers was not the type of guy to pick a fight. He said his life-long friend was a large teddy bear of a man and a huge Alabama fan.
"I believe that the two guys belong in prison. I don’t think they should have gotten manslaughter. I think they should have gotten murder because they did hit him with an object and they hit him when he was on the ground," Passman said.