Man in Assisted Living Facility Screamed 'He's Trying to Kill Me' As Roommate Allegedly Strangled Him to Death By Liam Quinn

A 79-year-old Florida man living in assisted living is accused of strangling his roommate to death.

Jerome Babij was arrested and charged with second-degree murder on Aug. 26, Miami-Dade County jail records indicate.

According to a Miami Police Department arrest affidavit obtained by PEOPLE, police allege that Babij attacked his roommate at the facility where they both lived.

The affidavit states that Babij and the victim had been roommates for approximately six months and that there had been no reports of previous issues.

Witnesses came to the shared room after hearing an altercation and someone shouting out “He’s trying to kill me,” according to the affidavit.

The affidavit alleges that witnesses who entered the room saw Babij with his hands around the victim’s neck.

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Witnesses dragged Babij out of the room, and while doing so, he allegedly kicked the victim who was lying on the floor, according to the affidavit.

After being taken into the hallway, police allege in the affidavit that Babij attempted to attack the witnesses with a fire extinguisher.

Babij was later questioned by police and allegedly claimed the victim pulled a gun on him. A subsequent search of the room found no firearms.

It is not immediately clear if Babij has entered a plea or retained an attorney.