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Two arrested in murder of Ozone Park bouncer

By Gabriel Rom

Two men have been arrested in connection with the death of a bouncer at an Ozone Park restaurant early Saturday morning, the NYPD said.

Elsworth Reid, 48, was trying to separate two unruly patrons when they allegedly turned on him and beat him to death at Johnny’s Restaurant and Bar at 107-09 Rockaway Blvd., police said.

Reid was rushed to Jamaica Hospital but was pronounced dead upon arrival, police said.

On Monday, two men 31-year-old Deonarine Deoraj and 48-year-old Harrydatt Nandalall were brought into custody, police said.

Both were charged with manslaughter and gang assault, police said.

The investigation was still ongoing and a police source said there might be other suspects involved with the crime at the late night spot.

“This is a terrible tragedy, but it doesn’t scare me,” said Tamesha Amy, who works at a laundromat near Johnny’s Restaurant. “But these are the reasons people say that they don’t like bars in their neighborhood. It brings the wrong type of crowd and drink dulls the senses.”

Another man, who did not want to give his name, said he had never heard of any past violence at the restaurant.

Reach reporter Gabriel Rom by e-mail at grom@cnglocal.com or by phone at (718) 260–4564.