Bronx Man Charged In Deadly Elevator Fight: It Wasn't Supposed To Happen That Way

NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) -- A former Marine accused of fatally beating his 74-year-old neighbor in the Bronx told police he overreacted, CBS2 reported.

Joaquin Feliciano, 57, got into a fight with his neighbor Sunday afternoon inside the elevator of their Kingsbridge apartment building, police said.

Authorities found Felix Rodriguez unconscious and unresponsive on the floor of the elevator. He later died at the hospital.

According to police and witnesses, Feliciano was holding the elevator for another man, Julio Estella, while he loaded his groceries. When Estella walked into his own apartment, Rodriguez allegedly began shouting at Feliciano, "What took so long?"

Witnesses claim Rodriguez threw the first punch, and at some point during the fight, police said Feliciano put his neighbor in a chokehold.

Feliciano allegedly told investigators it was "not supposed to happen that way," CBS2 reported.

Feliciano faces felony manslaughter charges.

He is being held on $50,000 cash bail or $100,000 bond, and is due in court Friday.