Person of interest released by NYPD in building superintendent's death in Brooklyn
FLATBUSH, Brooklyn (WABC) -- A 31-year-old man was questioned and released in the death of a Brooklyn building superintendent, after claiming he was there to visit someone.
No charges have been filed as the Medical Examiner's Office determines if 41-year-old Burim Havolli's death was caused by the fight with the man.
The altercation happened Wednesday morning. Witnesses told police Havolli had been restraining a man believed to be stealing packages from the building on Ocean Avenue, something residents say is a huge problem in the area.
Cell phone footage shows the moments they were verbally arguing before things turned physical.
Police say the man hit the superintendent in the head repeatedly with a cell phone. Havolli refused medical attention, but later collapsed in his apartment while taking a shower and was pronounced dead at the hospital.
The medical examiner's office said he had a preexisting condition with a severely blocked artery.
Sarah Abraham witnessed the fight.
"It's only when this physical altercation happened that he succumbed to his injuries two hours later," Abraham said. "But, you know, it's, it's really sad. I just continue to pray for his family."
The NYPD took the 31-year-old man into custody for questioning. The man told detectives he was at the apartment building to visit someone, something he said Havolli had no way of knowing, and had no intention of stealing packages.
He was released, pending further investigation by police and the Brooklyn District Attorney's Office.
Police do say he has a criminal history of 14 prior arrests including one in 2017 for attacking an NYPD traffic agent in Brooklyn, that case though was dismissed.
Meanwhile, a memorial is growing in the lobby of the apartment building in Flatbush, honoring the superintendent of more than 15 years who died.
His death has left many shocked and saddened.
"We're all at a loss in words because it's like you don't think that something like this can happen to your family," said the victim's cousin, Tring Havolli.
The 41-year-old victim's family says they want justice.
"We have faith in the NYPD that, you know, they're going to do their job. But obviously, we want we want answers as soon as possible," said the victim's cousin Krenar Havolli.
This investigation could take a while and could even end up in front of a grand jury to determine why the man was in the building and if the argument is indeed connected to the super's death.
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