By —Tom Tracy
The city’s medical examiner will have the final determination as to just how a man in poor health died following a home invasion in Flatlands last week. As of Monday, sources close to the slaying of 40-year-old John Davis said that it was unclear if he had been shot, stabbed or roughed up when thugs barged into his new home on East 55th Street between Flatlands Avenue and Avenue I, demanding the money from a safe that may have been filled with ill-gotten gains, namely, drug money. Police suspect that drugs and drug money may have been what brought the still unnamed suspects to Davis home the morning of January 20. The question is: what killed him? Police now believe that the 40-year-old’s demise could have been brought on by a stroke he reportedly had earlier in the week. “We were told that he suffered a stroke about two days earlier,” said one police source. “It’s possible that the strain from the stroke could have played a factor in his death while he was being beaten up.” Police confirmed that Davis was left bloodied and “roughed up” but said that they were unsure if he had been shot or stabbed. A police report filed that day said that cops, while responding to a robbery in progress at 9:35 a.m. Friday morning found Davis “unconscious.” He was pronounced dead at the scene. Initial published reports said that Davis was found bound lying on the floor, apparently shot once in the head. Neighbors told reporters that Davis had just purchased the Flatlands property, which was under renovation when the robbery took place. Two black males were seen fleeing the building just before cops were called. Sources said that the thieves raided a safe inside, but it was unknown what else was taken besides an undetermined amount of cash. Cops are asking anyone with information regarding this incident to come forward. Tipsters, police said, could receive up to $2,000 for information leading to the arrest and indictment of those responsible. Calls can be made to the NYPD CrimeStoppers hotline at (800) 577-TIPS. All calls will be kept confidential.
