A 79-year-old resident has been taken into custody after allegedly strangling and killing his roommate at an assisted living facility in Miami's Flagami neighborhood. The incident occurred on Tuesday morning at Princess Gardens, shocking both fellow residents and the local community, unaccustomed to such violence in this type of setting.
Fatal Confrontation
At approximately 8:15 a.m. on Tuesday, Miami police responded to an emergency call from the facility located at 5120 NW 4th Terrace. According to police reports cited by local media, a physical altercation between two adult men took place in one of the facility's rooms. Upon arrival, officers found one resident unconscious on the bedroom floor and Jerome John Babij, aged 79, being restrained by nursing staff in the hallway.
The two men had shared the room for about six months without any previous incidents. However, that morning, things took a sudden and tragic turn. Witnesses reported hearing screams and rushed to the room to find an alarming scene: Babij was on the bed with the victim on the floor between his legs, pressing the victim's neck with both hands. "He's trying to kill me!" the victim cried out before losing consciousness, according to witness accounts.
Violent Attempt at Defense
While staff tried to intervene, Babij displayed extreme aggression. The arrest report noted that he kicked the victim in the head and leg while being dragged out of the room. He also attempted to strike witnesses and, at one point, grabbed a fire extinguisher off the wall with apparent intent to attack. Babij even tried to re-enter the room before being subdued and held by staff until police arrived, as reported by NBC.
Both residents were taken to Jackson Memorial Hospital. The victim, whose identity has not been disclosed, was admitted in critical condition and later died. Babij was treated for minor hand injuries and subsequently arrested and formally charged with second-degree murder.
The Suspect's Account
During the ride to the hospital, Babij gave a spontaneous explanation that he later repeated to authorities: "He pointed a gun at me," he claimed, attempting to justify his violent reaction. However, after searching the room, police found no firearms or evidence to support this claim. The arrest report also mentioned Babij shouting during the attack, "He tried to kill me!"
The investigation is ongoing, but so far, there is no material evidence to corroborate his self-defense claim. The tragedy has deeply affected local residents, who are used to seeing ambulances at the center due to common medical emergencies among elderly individuals, but never a crime scene.
“They're elderly people; nothing like this has ever happened before... all the nurses are very good,” stated a neighbor who chose to remain anonymous, as reported by Telemundo 51. “It's scary, knowing that a death occurred two houses away from where you live. It's a shame,” expressed local resident Aylin Guillén.
Another neighbor, Cristina Manso, added, “I hope it doesn't happen again… I don't know how something like this can be stopped.”
Ongoing Investigation
The scene was cordoned off with yellow tape while law enforcement collected evidence and interviewed witnesses. The Miami Police Department confirmed that the investigation remains open. For now, Jerome John Babij is being held at the Turner Guilford Knight Correctional Center, awaiting a bond hearing.
Although facilities like Princess Gardens are meant to provide care and supervision for the elderly, the protocols for managing conflicts between senior residents—some of whom may suffer from cognitive decline or mental health issues—are once again under scrutiny.
Questions About the Miami Assisted Living Facility Incident
What led to the altercation between the two residents?
The specific cause of the altercation has not been disclosed, but it resulted in a physical confrontation that led to the tragic incident.
Did Jerome John Babij have a history of violence?
There were no reported incidents between Babij and his roommate prior to this event.
What was the response of the assisted living facility staff?
The staff intervened quickly, restraining Babij and attempting to provide assistance until police arrived.