Detectives in Queens charged a firefighter who allegedly delivered a deadly blow to a 55-year-old man during an apparent fight outside a bar early Saturday morning.
Justin Deieso, 35, was initially booked on assault charges for the fatal incident, which took place at about 4:02 a.m. on March 27 outside the Terrace Inn Bar at 20-05 Francis Lewis Blvd. in Whitestone.
Published reports indicated that Deieso is a New York City firefighter assigned to a company in Brooklyn, and has been suspended without pay pending the ongoing investigation.
According to law enforcement sources, Deieso and the victim — Devin Deegan, 55, of 15th Drive in Whitestone — had become engaged in an apparent dispute in the rear of the bar that eventually led to fisticuffs.
Additional charges against Deieso are pending the results of the ongoing investigation.
During the fight, authorities said, Deieso allegedly punched Deegan in the face, causing him to fall to the ground and strike his head — knocking him out for good.
Officers from the 109th Precinct responded to a 911 call about the incident. Upon arrival, the officers found Deegan with trauma to the back of his head. Sources familiar with the investigation also reported that he had also gone into cardiac arrest.
EMS units rushed Deegan to Flushing Hospital, where he was pronounced dead a short time later. His body was also transported to the Medical Examiner’s office for an autopsy to determine the cause of death.
