Juan Lora, a 62-year-old Dominican doorman, was fatally shot by his roommate in the Bronx (NYC) while celebrating a $300 lottery win.
Lora was shot in the back of the head during a fight in his home located in the basement of a building on W. 169th St. near Plimpton Ave. in the Highbridge neighborhood at about 10:40 p.m. Tuesday, police said.
Cops found his “roommate” Angelo Miranda, 51, outside the building with a gun and arrested him. He was charged with involuntary manslaughter around 3:15 a.m. Wednesday after hours of questioning. He was scheduled to be arraigned today in Bronx Criminal Court.
Just hours before he was killed Tuesday, Lora cashed in the winning $300 lottery ticket at a local bodega and was celebrating the modest prize, devastated friends told the Daily News.
They said Lora hung out at the bodega every day, drinking beer and playing dominoes with friends. “He was here and very happy,” said his friend and fellow bodega regular, Johnny Rivera, 60. “He was celebrating and bought a case of beer for everyone. Whatever you put on the counter, he paid for it.”
After throwing $10 bills at his friends, Lora headed home, where he continued an old argument with his housemate, according to Rivera.
“It was ongoing, it didn’t start yesterday,” Rivera added. “They were friends at one time…Not for a minute did we think it would lead to this…We’re all in shock.”
Lora had two adult children living in the Dominican Republic. And in New York he worked as a janitor in a building. “Tomorrow is never promised,” his friend Rivera reflected.
Those who struggle with gambling addiction or know someone who suffers from it can find help by calling New York State’s toll-free, confidential HOPEline at 1-877-8-HOPENY (1-877-846-7369); or by texting HOPENY ( 467369).
Several fatal cases of violence between housemates or neighbors have been reported in New York in recent months. In December, a 46-year-old ex-con turned himself in to police on suspicion of fatally shooting his neighbor during a lengthy argument over noise he was making at his residence in The Bronx (NYC).
In a similar case, also in mid-December, a 27-year-old model was stabbed to death by her roommate at a Midtown Manhattan shelter because she was apparently listening to music that was too loud.
All charges are mere accusations, and the individuals being prosecuted are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.