Tappers Alley bar owner dies after fighting patrons knock him to floor

REDFORD, Mich. – A regular night of work turned into a deadly tragedy after a bar owner was caught in the middle of a fight between two patrons.

Philip Young, owner of Tappers Alley bar in Redford, died Wednesday evening after suffering injuries he received from falling and hitting his head after two men fighting knocked him over.

He was 76-year-old.

"He got into an argument, fell hit his head. Terrible thing to happen," said Bob Mouch, who has been making delivering to Tappers for many years. 

"Great guy to deliver to"

Friends gathered at Tappers, which is still open and operating despite the tragic accident. 

"What are you going to do? He was 75, 76 … something stupid like this!" said Jay Rushlow, a friend of Young's.

Rushlow said a fight took place between two regulars at Tappers, and then the accident happened.

"One guy hit another guy and he fell into Phil, and Phil fell off his chair and hit his head on the floor,"  he said

Grieving friends say this could have been prevented

“They could have brought it out here. This did not have to happen” said Rushlow.

The medical examiner is looking into the cause of death and the two men involved in the fight could be charged pending the outcome of the investigation. 


About the Authors:

Local 4 Defender Shawn Ley is an Emmy award-winning journalist who has been with Local 4 News for more than a decade.