Authorities say an 87-year-old Maryland man confessed to fatally shooting his roommate, prompting a pastor to notify police.
According to charging documents obtained by WJLA, the pastor called Frederick police Sunday morning after Irwin Dickstein arrived at Frederick Christian Fellowship Church and admitted to the killing.
Officers questioned Dickstein, who told them the victim’s body remained at his home. Police later found his roommate, 63-year-old Michael Bushnell, dead in the bathroom with multiple gunshot wounds.
A witness told detectives that Dickstein had asked him for a ride to the church that morning so he could confess to the pastor. The witness said Dickstein left a suitcase in the vehicle’s trunk.
Police found a Beretta handgun inside the suitcase and believe it was used in the shooting, according to the charging documents.
Dickstein, 87, faces one count each of first-degree murder and second-degree murder, police said.
A neighbor told investigators he heard several loud bangs coming from the home Dickstein shared with Bushnell at about 5:30 a.m.
The neighbor said the two men had been arguing after Bushnell turned off the electricity while Dickstein was attempting to repair an outlet, according to the charging documents.
Dickstein is scheduled to appear in court Oct. 13 for a competency hearing.
