Fireman’s ‘death fist’ in Queens

Fatal bar fight: Cops

A city firefighter was busted early Saturday after he socked a man in the face outside their Queens neighborhood bar and the victim struck his head on the pavement — and later died, according to police and sources.

Justin Deieso, 35, of Whitestone, is claiming self-defense, his lawyer told The Post, as the sevenyear FDNY veteran was released without bail Saturday night on misdemeanor assault.

That charge could be elevated to murder depending on the results of an autopsy on victim Devin Deegan, 55, cops say.

Deieso, of Ladder Company 122 in Park Slope, Brooklyn, got into a fistfight with Deegan behind the rowdy Terrace Inn Bar & Grill on Francis Lewis Boulevard in Whitestone, according to police.

Cops say they arrived at 4 a.m. and found Deegan, of Flushing, lying on the pavement with trauma to the back of his head.

“He is maintaining his innocence, and the case is expected to stay a misdemeanor offense,” defense lawyer Robert Gallo told The Post.

“It’s a case of self-defense for sure” he added.

Sources alleged to The Post that Deieso’s punch sent Deegan to the ground, where he struck his head. He went into cardiac arrest at the scene, one source said.

The victim was pronounced dead at Flushing Hospital Medical Center.

He was an unmarried, childless electrician who cared for his parents until they died — and lived alone for the past five years with a gray pet rabbit that he doted on, neighbors told The Post.

Deegan had already set out Easter eggs in his backyard for area kids, neighbors said.

“Always lent a hand, especially to us older people,” said one neighbor. “I never saw him lose his temper.”

Another friend said, “We were friends. We all played together in the street growing up. He walked away from fights. Took care of his mother until the bitter end.”

Records show Deieso made $85,292 in 2020. He left his arraignment in Queens without commenting.

Dr. Marielena Diakogiannis, a dentist with a practice near the back of the notorious watering hole on 20th Avenue, said noise and fights there are “typical.”

“It’s sad to see this happening in such a nice neighborhood,” she said.

GOT IN FIGHT: Firefighter Justin Deieso (left, leaving Queens Criminal Courthouse on Saturday) is accused of punching Devin Deegan in a fight outside of a bar. Deegan died after his head struck the pavement.