Aspiring American fashion designer, 22, beaten to death on a Greek party island was attacked after 'putting his drinks down at the wrong end of a table'

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Stunning new details reveal Bakari Henderson was killed on a Greek party island at a bar because he and a friend put their drinks down at the wrong end of a table.

Henderson, 22, was in Zakynthos for a photoshoot to launch his own fashion line when he and his friends visited a local bar, Bar Code, in the town of Laganas, late on Thursday night.

A friend of the 22-year-old has revealed the brutal brawl started shortly after Henderson and another friend set down their drinks at the end of a table when two other men were sitting.

The attackers then allegedly grabbed Henderson and his buddy's beers, smashed them over the table and began using the broken bottles as weapons, CBS News reports.

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Stunning new details reveal Bakari Henderson (right) was killed on a Greek party island at a bar because he and a friend put their drinks down at the wrong end of a table 

Astrid Von Ehren-McCray, a longtime family friend, said: 'I couldn't believe it... And I'm trying to compose myself, but I couldn't believe it.' 

The account was in line with what was published in Athens newspaper Kathimerini.

The newspaper cited police reports, stating the fight was caused by a: 'petty dispute over someone setting their drink down on a table occupied by a different group.

'On leaving the bar, a group of Serbian patrons allegedly attacked Henderson, threw him onto the road and started punching and kicking him.' 

The new details emerged after Henderson's family released a statement, reading: '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'.

Greek police have revealed that Henderson died after getting into an argument at Bar Code, in the town of Laganas, Zante

Another friend, Jordan Zylberberg, said: 'Bakari was an amazing friend, one of my best and oldest friends, and one of the most genuine people I ever met'. 

Among those who paid tribute to Henderson was his friend Alyssa White who said: 'He was the guy who walked around campus and knew everyone.

'He was so determined in life, I mean he had dreams of starting a clothing line and opening his own business and he inspired me to work harder.

Tyler Pittman, another of Henderson's friends, said: 'I guess I'll never meet someone as inspirational and influential as that man.

'He was always positive, always happy, always smiling, laughing, joking...it was always a beautiful day'.

According to reports in the Greek media, police have reviewed CCTV footage from the scene which shows the security guard approaching the table where Henderson and his friends were sitting and begin shouting at them.

The suspects in his fatal beating, who have not yet been named, covered their faces as they were taken into court

Henderson punched the security guard and a fight broke out between them.

The bartender joined in and within seconds a mob formed around Henderson, chasing him out of that bar. Local cops said at least 10 people followed Henderson out of the bar, including the bouncer and another employee.

Moments later, he was pummeled to death by attackers who are thought to have used brass knuckles.

Eight people have been since been arrested - including the bouncer, a 32-year-old British security guard of Serbian origin, and a Greek barman, 34 - and are facing voluntary manslaughter charges. 

Six Serbians were arrested after a police operation at the hotel where they were staying. 

One of their attorneys argued the charge was wrong as there was no intent to kill Henderson.

Eight people have been since been arrested - including the bouncer, a 32-year-old British security guard of Serbian origin, and a Greek barman, 34

The eight, which also include six Serbians arrested after a police operation at the hotel where they were staying, are facing voluntary manslaughter charges

Homicide: Two men have been arrested and eight more are being questioned after the death of University of Arizona student Bakari Henderson (left and right, with a female friend) on the Greek island of Zakynthos

But the Greek Security Division said that Henderson's injuries were so severe, that he was pronounced dead on arrival at hospital.

His body was taken to the Patras coroner for further examination, but the most likely cause of death is the blows to the head. 

The authorities in Greece are now calling for a clampdown on party islands like Zakynthos, which are known for their cheap bars with rowdy tourists drinking until the early hours. 

The news is still sinking in at the McCray household in Austin, Texas. Family friends say Henderson spent a lot of time there growing up.

Henderson's family and friends said he was 'so determined in life' and that it was 'always a beautiful day' when was around.

Henderson was from Austin, Texas, and had been studying at the University of Arizona in Tucson where he was taking Business Finance and Entrepreneurship.

He graduated in May.

Henderson's (pictured) family and friends said he was 'so determined in life' and that it was 'always a beautiful day' when was around 

Beach attraction: The beach on the island is one of its draws for tourists but there is a dark side and in 2011 a 19-year-old British tourist was beaten to death by two Greek taxi drivers.