Robert Clarke, 78, of Manchester was airlifted to an area hospital after the 7:30 p.m. incident at the Lakeside Diner in Lacey Township, Ocean County Prosecutor Bradley D. Billhimer said.

Edward Charles Chandler of Manalapan was charged with aggravated assault, which was upgraded to aggravated manslaughter on Thursday night.

Billhimer said that Clarke was removed from life support about 1:30 a.m. after he was airlifted to Jersey Shore University Medical Center.

“A post-mortem examination of Mr. Clarke was conducted this afternoon by the Ocean County Medical Examiner," Billhimer said. "The Medical Examiner determined the cause of the victim’s death to be closed head injury secondary to a fall, and the manner of death to be homicide. . . . Chandler has been identified as the individual responsible for Mr. Clarke’s death, and has now been charged accordingly."

Billhimer, in a press statement, said that an argument had taken place inside the diner between members of a motorcycle club. The owner of the diner asked everyone involved in the altercation to leave the premises, Billhimer said. 

A second argument involving the same parties arose in the parking lot of the diner. During this argument, Chandler struck Clarke with a closed fist, causing the victim to fall to the ground resulting in severe head trauma, the prosecutor said.

“I fully expect that additional charges will be forthcoming,” Billhimer said.

The loss of Clarke, affectionately known as "RJ," was being mourned on social media.

More on what may have triggered the clashes was reported here by the Asbury Park Press.

The incident happened at the same diner that had been repeatedly ticketed for serving customers indoors despite the coronavirus pandemic.

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