Man Involved in Fight that Killed Beloved Chelsea Bouncer Back on Street After DA Drops All Charges
Duane “D Train” Patterson was killed during a fight with a man who tried to get into Billy Mark’s West Pub on Christmas Eve after the neighborhood bar on 29th and Ninth Ave. had called last call. Now the man who was originally arrested by cops for on manslaughter charges has seen the charges dropped by the DA
Chelsea /
| 21 Mar 2023 | 11:26
Duane “D Train” Patterson (pictured above) died after he was punched in the head by a 34 year old man that Patterson was trying to escort out of Billy Mark’sWest bar in Chelsea in the early hours of Christmas Eve. Photo: GoFundMe
Duane Patterson, the big man known as “D Train” was a beloved bouncer at Billy Mark’s West in Chelsea when he got into a fracas with 34 year old man Earl Gumbs who trying to get a drink after last call in the early morning hours of Christmas Eve. Patterson, 61 was hit and fell to the ground slamming his head. He never regained consciousness and was taken off life support five days later.
Earl Gumbs, who initially fled on foot, was seen on video and captured by cops on Jan. 12, who charged him manslaughter and assault.
But now friends and family may be dismayed to find that the district attorney has dropped all charges and Grubs is out.
A spokesman for the district attorneys office told Chelsea News, that pross “did not feel we could prove beyond a reasonable doubt that he [Earl Gumbs] was not acting in self defense.”
Patterson’s daughter, Arianna Buchholz, in the days after the attack had started a GoFundMe page that was filled with love for man that everyone said was a gentle giant and reached its goal of raising $27,000.
She did not return a text from Chelsea News seeking comment after it was learned that the suspect accused of killing her father in the fracas outside the bar where he had worked for 20 years had been freed with the DA declining to prosecute.
In the days following his death she had posted on GoFundMe:
“On the early morning of Saturday, December 24th Duane Patterson, father, husband, and wonderful friend was terribly assaulted while outside on duty.
“Duane suffered a traumatic brain injury and was in a coma for four days. The intensive care he received was unfortunately not enough to revive his mind.
Patterson was an Air Force veteran and lived in the Fort George section of northern Manhattan with his wife Melissa.
HIs daughter said he was an organ donor and one of his kidneys went to his sister who is diabetic and other organs were also donated before he died four days after the violent encounter. “He may not be able to continue on this earth but his contribution will ensure that others can,” his daughter wrote at the time
“My father was such a strong, honorable person and was always quick to make us laugh! We will love you dearly always and forever,” she wrote.
There were nearly 270 people who helped raise over $27,000 and many left notes speaking about their affection for Patterson. “I only found out today what happened with Duane,” wrote Erin Kulick, who donated $100 three weeks ago. “I can’t imagine what the family and BillyMark’s have been through, but I want to say my last memory of this precious man was dancing, hugging, and telling him I loved him at my favorite bar a few months ago. He was a part of the magic of the bar and everyone that I brought there met him and knew what a sweet and fun guy he was. He will be so sorely missed. His generosity and good spirit live on through his organ donations. My condolences to you.”