Bronx Tenant Accused of Killing Superintendent Frequently Reported Neighbors to Police and Filed Lawsuit Against Landlord

In a tragic incident in the Bronx, a 44-year-old man identified as Jimmy Avila has been charged with murder following a shooting that left the building superintendent dead and two others injured. The event unfolded in a rent-controlled apartment building on College Avenue amid escalating tensions between Avila and his neighbors associated with numerous complaints and legal actions.

Avila’s relationship with his neighbors had soured significantly in the preceding months, leading him to file several criminal complaints against residents, report building issues to the city’s 311 system, and pursue legal action against his landlord concerning serious maintenance problems, including a bedbug infestation. Court documents indicate that Avila had been placed in the apartment by Bronx Addiction Services, a nonprofit organization connected with the New York State Office of Mental Health.

In June 2024, Avila brought a lawsuit against his landlord, 1412 Col LLC, and JSAF Management, alleging that his apartment was infested with bedbugs and that electrical systems were malfunctioning. This legal battle had reportedly grown contentious, prompting the landlord’s legal team to request remote hearings due to Avila’s behavior at the courthouse.

The situation escalated dramatically when Avila allegedly confronted the building superintendent, Ryan Hines, 37, shooting him in the hallway. Hines was fatally wounded while attempting to escape. A neighboring resident, Orlando Nieves, aged 62, sustained injuries during the incident, and another victim, a 59-year-old man believed to be experiencing homelessness, was also shot.

In the wake of the shooting, Avila barricaded himself in his apartment and allegedly contacted news media to express his grievances about feeling threatened by his neighbors. Following the incident, he was taken into custody and subsequently died at Rikers Island just days later, with the cause of death yet to be determined.

Avila’s history reveals a pattern of conflicts and complaints against neighbors and landlords, including allegations of threats from other residents. Notably, he had filed over 13 lawsuits since 2016 against various parties, indicating a long-standing grievance with his living conditions. In 2023 alone, he registered 97 complaints to the 311 service related to his building’s conditions.

The tragic fallout of this event extends beyond legal disputes, leaving Hines’ two children orphaned after their mother’s previous homicide in 2016. As the investigation continues, it serves as a reminder of the complex dynamics of urban living conditions and mental health challenges faced by individuals like Avila. Media News Source