Woman in East Flatbush found dead after home invasion in apartment

EAST FLATBUSH, Brooklyn (WABC) -- Police are still on the hunt Friday night for a group of thieves who ambushed a man and woman inside an apartment building in East Flatbush, Brooklyn.

The 68-year-old female victim was pronounced dead at a nearby hospital while her roommate survived several blows from a hammer.

Police say two men and a woman burst into the Kings Highway apartment building just after 3 a.m. Friday where they targeted a pair of roommates on the third floor.

"They lived there for about three years and that's about it. Nothing like this has ever happened in this building, no," a resident said.

A 40-year-old man was repeatedly hit with a hammer in the chest, and when he eventually came to, he discovered his 68-year-old female roommate unconscious.

"She was my best friend," a resident said.

"It's sad why you go and do something like that? They're human, they're innocent people," a resident said.

The woman was rushed to Brookdale University Hospital where she was later pronounced dead.

There was no noticeably trauma to her body, but an autopsy is still pending.

Police say the suspects got away with some valuables from the apartment, but so far they haven't made any arrests.

"For my neighbors and for us, for people, we need to be safe. This is not a safe environment," a resident said.

Police say both victims have prior drug arrests.

There are several cameras both inside and outside the building that investigators are now reviewing.