Greek police have apprehended eight people who may be connected to the death of a 22-year-old African-American tourist who died Friday, July 7 outside of a local bar.
Bakari Henderson, recent Arizona University graduate and Texas native, was allegedly beaten to death outside of Bar Code in Laganas on the Greek island of Zakynthos. According to ABC News, Henderson was attempting to keep the peace when a fight broke out with another group of people at the bar. The fight grew into a full-fledged brawl and Henderson was fatally beaten.
"Bakari was not one to act aggressively like that," his friend Travis Jenkins told ABC News. "He was always the one who was the peacemaker."
Authorities believe the primary suspects responsible for the heinous killing are a 34-year-old Greek bartender and a 32-year-old British bartender. The others are believed to be six Serbian tourists who were identified by surveillance footage from the night of the incident. As of now, police have not released the names of the suspects and a motive for the beating.
The victim was reportedly surrounded by 10 assailants during the altercation and suffered severe head injuries, per the coroner's report. The Austin Statesmen reported that Henderson was on the Greek isle working on a photo shoot to launch his fashion line.
In a statement given to the Statesmen by Henderson's family, they wanted the world to know that “Bakari loved spending time with family and friends, traveling and meeting new people. He was a big thinker and enjoyed coming up with new business ventures.”
Friends of Henderson launched a GoFundme Page that is currently raising funds for his family and funeral expenses.