Top Stories

Man, 83, dies following dispute with tenant; suspect arrested

A man was arrested after police say he killed his landlord by pushing him down stairs in West Homestead.

Police said Dominick Anicola, 57, struck Walter Smith, 83, on the head and pushed him down stairs around 4:30 a.m. Saturday. The incident happened inside a home in the 300 block of West 7th Avenue.

Police found the victim at the base of a flight of stairs unconscious and suffering from head trauma. He was pronounced dead at the scene.

Anicola told police that he and Smith, who is the building landlord, got into a fight because Smith had him involuntarily committed to Western Psych earlier in the week and when he returned home some of his property was missing.

TRENDING NOW:

Anicola said a fight ensued when he confronted smith and demanded his property.

He admitted to punching Smith in the face and hitting him with the handle of an axe before the two fell about five feet over the railing of their second story building.

He then said he went back to his apartment to call 911.

Anicola was arrested and is being charged with homicide, according to a release. Anicola awaits arraignment while at the Allegheny County Jail.