OKINAWA CITY — A 32-year-old Okinawa City bar bouncer has been arrested in the fatal fall of a civilian base employee Dec. 11.
Ashley M. Miller, a former Air Force servicemember employed by Fujiyama’s, a popular Gate Two Street club near Kadena Air Base, was taken into custody Tuesday by Okinawa police on a charge of inflicting injuries causing a death.
A police spokesman said Miller has denied responsibility in Ball’s death.
The bouncer is accused of pushing Thomas Ball, 47, a Camp Foster Marine Corps Community Service employee, down the steep concrete stairs leading to the second-floor club.
According to Okinawa police, Miller reportedly shoved Ball during a scuffle on the second floor landing at the bar’s entrance.
Miller was attempting to break up an altercation between Ball and another customer when Ball brushed his hand away and Miller shoved him back, a police spokesman said.
The incident happened at 2:45 a.m. Ball fell down the stairs, striking his head and losing consciousness. He was pronounced dead at the U.S. Naval Hospital on Camp Lester about an hour later.
Because Miller is not in Japan under the U.S.-Japan Status of Forces Agreement, Japanese authorities have jurisdiction over the case.
The case was to be referred to the Naha District Public Prosecutor’s Office for indictment Wednesday.
