A 62-year-old man shot by his Bronx roommate was celebrating a $300 lottery win just before he was killed, the Daily News has learned.
Juan Lora was shot in the back of the head during a spat in his basement pad on W. 169th St. near Plimpton Ave. in Highbridge about 10:40 p.m. Tuesday, cops said.
Cops found the victim’s 51-year-old roommate Angelo Miranda outside the building carrying a gun and took him into custody.
Just hours before he was gunned down Lora cashed in the winning $300 lottery ticket at his local bodega and was celebrating the modest score, devastated friends said.
Lora hung out at the bodega every day, drinking beer and playing dominoes with buddies.
“He was here and so happy,” said friend and fellow bodega regular Johnny Rivera, 60. “He was celebrating and he bought a case of beer for everybody. Whatever you put on the counter he paid for.”
After tossing $10 bills to his buddies Lora headed home.
The victim and his roommate were “having beef,” Rivera said.
“It was ongoing — it didn’t just start yesterday,” he added. “They were friends at one time.”
Miranda was charged with murder and manslaughter about 3:15 a.m. Wednesday after hours of questioning.
“Never for a minute did we think it would lead to this,” Rivera said. “We’re all in shock.”
Lora had two adult children who live in the Dominican Republic. He worked as a porter at a neighborhood building.
“Tomorrow is never promised,” Rivera said.
Miranda was awaiting arraignment in Bronx Criminal Court Thursday.
With Emma Seiwell and Thomas Tracy
