Suspect Sought After Man Found Dead at Midtown

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The New York Sun

Midtown police are seeking a man who allegedly clubbed to death a carpenter at a Single Room Occupancy hotel.


“When Giuliani cleaned up the city, he forgot about his building,” said a five-year resident who knew the killer and the victim. “We’re living worse than in a Third World country.”


Robert McLaughlin, 54, described by his neighbors as decent and well liked, had moved into the building six months ago. He was killed at 2 a.m. after getting into a dispute with a neighbor. The accused killer, whose identity was being withheld by police, fatally clubbed McLaughlin in the skull with a blunt object. The attack, police say, occurred on the second floor of the building at 351 W. 44th St., in the killer’s room. The victim is believed to have lived on a separate floor.


“Bobby was a nice working fellow,” said a resident who declined to give his name. “He was worried about cleaning up the building. This building is known for prostitution, male and female, and drugs, and other illegal activity. Bobby didn’t deserve to go out like this.”


One resident said there was no security at the building and insufficient screening for residents. “Anybody could walk in here, commit a murder, and walk out,” he said. Another neighbor said he heard the sound of a bottle or window smashing at the time of the killing. Police found the victim dead from head trauma, but the suspect was nowhere to be found. Police described the killer as a 27-year-old Asian man who stands 5-feet-7-inches tall, weighs 200 pounds, and was last seen wearing a green jacket with black sleeves.


The building is maintained by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development to provide rooms for the homeless.


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