Queens

Queens landlord charged with murder after admitting to killing 3 in likely tenant dispute: Police

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What to Know

  • A New York City landlord is facing murder charges after an apparent dispute with tenants turned deadly, police said, as officers uncovered a grisly scene with three people killed inside a home.
  • The landlord, 54-year-old David Daniel, walked into a police station and admitted to the horrific triple murder at the Queens house, according to police.
  • Daniel entered the 113th precinct stationhouse Tuesday morning "as calm as possible" and said he was having issues with his tenants, NYPD Assistant Chief Kevin Williams said at a press conference. When the officer he was speaking to asked more about it, the man said he "did something bad" at the address, according to Williams.

A New York City landlord is facing murder charges after an apparent dispute with tenants turned deadly, police said, as officers uncovered a grisly scene with three people killed inside a home.

The landlord, 54-year-old David Daniel, walked into a police station and admitted to the horrific triple murder at the Queens house, according to police.

Daniel entered the 113th precinct stationhouse Tuesday morning "as calm as possible" and said he was having issues with his tenants, NYPD Assistant Chief Kevin Williams said at a press conference. When the officer he was speaking to asked more about it, the man said he "did something bad" at the address, according to Williams.

Police went to the two-story house with a white picket fence on Millburn Street in St. Albans around 7 a.m. Tuesday after the suspect admitted to the slaying, Williams said. Officers found a man and a woman dead in the basement, with another victim, a woman, found found in an upstairs bedroom. She was also pronounced dead at the scene.

Law enforcement sources said all three people found in the home — identified as 51-year-old Coleen Fields, 57-year-old Wayne Thomas and 55-year-old Evette Sweeney — suffered multiple stab wounds. Police have not shared how the victims all knew each other.

Daniel is now facing charges of murder and criminal possession of a weapon, police said. He was taken into custody after making his admission at the airport, said Williams.

Neighbors described the suspect as a nice guy who would wave hello to people, but mostly kept to himself.

Queens District Attorney Melinda Katz was at the scene later in the morning.

An investigation is ongoing. Police did not say whether there was a history of complaints at the address.

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