A shooter killed a man inside a Bronx apartment during a possibly drug-fueled feud — and then killed himself in an apparent accident when his gun went off as he tried to make his escape, cops and police sources said.
The gunfire erupted inside an apartment building on Rev. James A. Polite Avenue near East 163rd Street around 12 p.m. Tuesday, according to police.
Cops first found a 28-year-old man — believed to be the shooter — bleeding in the second-floor hallway with a gunshot wound to the head when they arrived, according to the NYPD and sources. A gun and one spent shell casing were found next to him, the sources said.
The second man, age 32, was later discovered inside a fifth-floor apartment, in the doorway to his bedroom, cops and sources said. He was also shot in the head.
Some crack cocaine, a scale and other drug paraphernalia were found on the dresser beside the older man’s body, the sources said.
Emergency responders rushed to the scene but the two men could not be saved, according to police.
Hearing the commotion, the victim’s 56-year-old roommate went to see what was going on. The gunman fired a single round at him, which grazed him in the face, according to the sources.
Two victims were found on the fifth and second floor of the apartment, both were shot in the head. Robert Miller
The victims were ages 28 and 32 and were found around 12 p.m. on Tuesday. Robert MillerThe bullet went through his bedroom wall and lodged inside a kitchen cabinet.
He was treated on scene and listed in stable condition, cops said.
Investigators believe the gunman accidentally shot himself as he fled down the stairs, according to police sources.
The NYPD has not officially confirmed that the shooting of the 28-year-old man was an accidental suicide, saying that his death remains under investigation.
Neither of the names of the slain men have been released, pending family notification.
Additional reporting by Larry Celona
