By Juan Soto
A Croatian historian was fatally shot in Astoria Park Saturday allegedly at the hands of a friend over a real-estate deal gone sour in Italy, authorities said.
William Klinger, 42, an expert on Yugoslavian dictator Josip Tito and resident of Italy, was found lying down by two parkgoers with a bullet round in the head and another one in the neck, NYPD Chief of Detectives Robert Boyce said Monday.
Boyce said the police made an arrest in the case and identified the suspect as Astoria resident Alexander Bonich, 50. Police said Bonich is an author and translator.
The chief of detectives said authorities contacted the victim’s wife in Italy, who said her husband was in town for an academic conference.
“The defendant is accused of taking the life of a friend who was seeking his help in starting a new life in this country,” said Queens District Attorney Richard Brown. “This case is another unfortunate example of the senseless gun violence that seems to more and more permeate our society.”
Brown and the police said the suspect, allegedly after shooting Klinger, got rid of the weapon and the clothing he was wearing at the time of the incident.
Klinger, police said, was shot Saturday afternoon in Astoria Park near 19th Street. He was rushed to Elmhurst Hospital, where he was pronounced dead.
Boyce pointed out Klinger, also a noted academic on the history of the Balkans, was killed with an antique gun.
Authorities said the suspect admitted to the killing and said he tossed the gun in the East River.
The chief of detectives said police were waiting for a low tide to dredge parts of the river by the park in an effort to find the sophisticated weapon.
He added that there is footage that shows the suspect throwing away some of the victim’s belongings.
Bonich was arrested in his Astoria home and was charged with murder, criminal possession of a weapon and tampering with physical evidence, Brown said.
Brown said that prior to the shooting, Bonich and Klinger were arguing inside Astoria Park.
The district attorney noted that Klinger attempted to walk away, and when he did not stop at the request of the suspect, Bonich allegedly shot him. If convicted, Brown said, the suspect faces up to 25 years in prison.
Reach reporter Juan Soto by e-mail at jsoto@cnglocal.com or by phone at (718) 260–4564.
