Dominican Man Charged in Bat-Beating Death of Tenant in NYC
Bronx Landlord and Stepson charged in Fatal Beating of Tenant Over Heat and Hot Water
New York, NY - A Bronx landlord and his stepfather are facing murder charges after a tenant who complained about lack of heat and hot water was fatally beaten.
Kristopher Samaroo,30,died Saturday at Jacobi Hospital after the brutal attack in his Throgs Neck apartment building. Edwin Nina, 39, and Omar Lamoni, 43, were arrested in connection with the killing. Lamoni was apprehended at the scene, while Nina later surrendered to authorities.
Samaroo’s wife, Brittney Shears, recounted the horrifying events leading up to her husband’s death. “Last night, Kristopher came home like usual, with groceries. He checked the mail. That’s when the landlord saeid he was there to collect overdue rent,” Shears said.
The confrontation escalated from a dispute over rent to a deadly assault, allegedly stemming from ongoing issues with the apartment’s living conditions. The Samaroo family had repeatedly filed complaints with the city about serious problems,including a lack of heat and hot water.
“All we asked for was heat. And from there, after we called 311, he became opposed with us. I have a folder full of complaints to HPD, full of police reports about them threatening Kris’s life,” Shears revealed, criticizing the police’s inaction in the face of previous threats.
Shears stated that the family had contacted the 45th Precinct multiple times regarding the landlords’ threatening behaviour, but no preventative measures were taken.
The family had planned to relocate to Florida to escape the dire situation, but legal complications and an ongoing eviction process prevented them from leaving.
“He loved his daughters more than anything in this world. He loved me more than anything in this world. He didn’t deserve this. He never got into trouble with anyone. He would give you the jacket off his back because you were freezing on the street,” Shears said, heartbroken.
samaroo leaves behind two young daughters,ages two and six months.
Landlord and Stepson Charged in Fatal Beating of Tenant Over Heat and Hot Water
News Direct 3 Interview with Brittney Shears
News Direct 3: Today we speak with Brittney Shears, the wife of Kristopher Samaroo, who was tragically killed in his bronx apartment this past Saturday. ms. shears, our hearts go out to you and yoru family during this incredibly challenging time.
Brittney Shears: Thank you.
News Direct 3: Can you recount the events that led to your husband’s death?
Brittney Shears: Last night, Kristopher came home with groceries, checked the mail, and that’s when the landlord said he was there to collect overdue rent.
News Direct 3: This, we understand, escalated into a violent confrontation?
Brittney Shears: Yes, it became a dispute. It wasn’t just about the rent. We had been having problems with the apartment for months, no heat, no hot water, things Haunted us.
News Direct 3: You had contacted the authorities about these issues?
Brittney Shears: Absolutely. We filed complaints with the city, with HPD. We even called the police multiple times because the landlords kept threatening Kristopher’s life. I have a whole folder full of complaints and police reports.
News Direct 3: Did the police take any action based on these reports?
Brittney Shears: No,nothing.
News Direct 3: I understand you were planning on leaving the apartment?
Brittney Shears: We were. We were going to move to Florida, trying to get away from this situation, but we had legal holds and an eviction process preventing us from leaving.
News Direct 3: Kristopher Samaroo leaves behind two young daughters. What would you like people to remember about him?
Brittney Shears: He loved our daughters more than anything in this world. He loved me more than anything.He didn’t deserve this.
He was a good man. He would give you the jacket off his back if you were freezing.