Security guard died after breaking up Tampa bar fight. 2 weeks later, an arrest.

A Tampa man has been arrested on a manslaughter charge nearly two weeks after a security guard died after breaking up a fight at a local bar.

About 1:30 a.m. July 2, Joshua Valdibieso, 27, was involved in a “physical altercation between patrons and security” at the Tally Ho Bar, Lounge and Grill, located at 7402 N. 56th St., the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office said in a news release. During the fight, a security guard tried to intervene, and Valdibieso struck him in the head, according to an arrest report from that day.

The report states that Valdibieso was “throwing a closed-fist strike in the direction of an unknown individual and struck the head of the victim with his right elbow.”

The security guard, identified as Kenneth Washington, 50, “fell unconscious” a short time later, the arrest report states. Deputies treated him until Hillsborough County Fire Rescue took him to a hospital, where he was later pronounced dead, the sheriff’s office said in the news release.

The incident was captured on surveillance video, and Valdibieso identified himself in a still shot from the video, the arrest report states. In an interview with detectives, Valdibieso said he was “defending himself and throwing punches” but that he did not recall hitting anyone.

“The video surveillance showed a break in the affray, prior to the defendant re-engaging with the unknown individual, clearly contradicting the claim of self-defense and striking the victim,” the arrest report states.

Deputies arrested Valdibieso at the scene on a battery charge, as an autopsy had not yet been done, according to the news release. Records show he was released from jail later that day after posting a $1,000 bond.

Homicide detectives continued the investigation, and an arrest warrant on a manslaughter charge was issued for Valdibieso on Friday, the sheriff’s office said. On Sunday, Hillsborough and Pasco deputies found Valdibieso in Pasco County, and he was arrested.

“It’s tragic that a man lost his life due to senseless violence while simply doing his job,” Sheriff Chad Chronister said in the news release. “I commend our deputies for their dedication to justice. Their meticulous work with this case has led to the successful arrest of this violent man, who will now be held accountable for his actions.”

The sheriff’s office said the investigation is ongoing.