A man was beaten to death on Long Island when an argument over an unpaid debt turned violent, leading to the arrest of a retired New York City firefighter.
James Rogers, 66, allegedly killed Mark Iacono, 65, with his bare hands Thursday evening following a Bay Shore Alcoholic Anonymous meeting, Newsday reported.
Rogers is a retired FDNY captain who lives in Babylon. He served 22 years with the FDNY, and now operates two assisted living facilities, Newsday reported.
Long Island investigators said the two men started arguing over money in the parking lot of the United Methodist Church just before 9 p.m., soon after the meeting ended.
Rogers allegedly grabbed Iacono and flung him to the ground.
Iacono landed face down, and Rogers allegedly grabbed his head and smashed his face into the ground multiple times, News12 Long Island reported.
After a witness pulled Rogers off Iacono, he continued to kick him.
Iacono was pronounced dead soon after arriving at South Shore University Hospital in Bay Shore, not even 10 minutes later.
Rogers was charged with first-degree manslaughter. He pleaded not guilty during his arraignment at First District Court in Central Islip. He is scheduled to return to court on March 11.
It wasn’t clear from the reports who provoked the fight, or who owed money to whom.
Rogers’ lawyer, Islip Terrace-based attorney Robert A. Macedonio, told Newsday his client and Iacono had “a prior business relationship” and called the beat down “an argument over a business dispute.”
Rogers could not be reached for comment Saturday.