SMITHVILLE – A Smithville man’s death after a bar fight last weekend has been ruled a homicide, according to the Chenango County Sheriff’s Office.

Chance E. Howey, 31, was pronounced dead at Wilson Memorial in Johnson City early Monday morning. Police said about 24 hours before his death, he was involved in a fight outside Seeber’s Tavern in the Town of Smithville.

Police said the victim’s family members called 911 after Mr. Howey fell unconscious at around 1 p.m. Sunday and was taken to the hospital by ambulance.

Lt. Richard Cobb said witnesses told investigators the victim was involved in an unarmed physical altercation at about 1 a.m. Sunday.

Sheriff Ernest R. Cutting Jr. said a preliminary autopsy report by the Onondaga County Medical Examiner’s Office Wednesday determined the manner of death to be homicide.

“The chief medical examiner has ruled Mr. Howey’s death as a homicide. The cause of death was determined to be a brain injury caused during the physical altercation that occurred outside Seeber’s Tavern on Jan. 30. The brain injury was caused by a blow to the victim’s head consistent with being punched,” the press release stated.

Cutting said witnesses also reported Mr. Howey was drinking at Seeber’s before getting into a fight outside the bar. Following the altercation, police said Mr. Howey was taken home by his father and went to bed.