A 79-year-old Florida man has been arrested after allegedly strangling his assisted living roommate to death.
According to Miami-Dade County jail records, Jerome Babij was taken into custody on Aug. 26 and charged with second-degree murder.
A Miami Police Department arrest affidavit obtained by PEOPLE states that Babij allegedly attacked his roommate inside the facility where they both lived. The two had shared a room for about six months, and no prior conflicts had been reported, according to the affidavit.
Witnesses told investigators they rushed into the room after hearing a disturbance and someone shouting, “He’s trying to kill me.” When they entered, they allegedly saw Babij with his hands around the victim’s neck.
Witnesses pulled Babij away, and while being removed from the room, he allegedly kicked the victim, who was lying on the floor. The affidavit further claims that once in the hallway, Babij attempted to attack the witnesses with a fire extinguisher.
During questioning, Babij allegedly told police that the victim had pulled a gun on him. However, a search of the room revealed no firearms.
It remains unclear whether Babij has entered a plea or secured legal representation.
