Murder Suspect of a 9/11 Hero Kills Self
Victim Responded toTwin Tower Attack

http://abclocal.go.com/kabc/story?se...cal&id=5341810

KABC LOCAL NEWS

SAN BERNARDINO, May 26, 2007 - Authorities say the suspect in that Arizona murder of a 9/11 hero has committed suicide, after being cornered by investigators outside a San Bernardino hotel

The victim was a retired New York City firefighter Salvatore Princiotta.

The NYC firefighter was a member of a team of six firefighters that took a "Thank You America" cross-country bicycle tour after 9/11. They started from Ground Zero in New York City to honor 10 of members of their firefighter company that died in the collapse of the World Trade Center towers.

Princiotta's body was found inside his Scottsdale home over a week ago. He moved to Arizona because of lung problems allegedly caused when his company responded to the 9/11 attack.

The suspect in his murder was discovered at a motel in San Bernardino and fled on foot when approached Friday night by Scottsdale police detectives and San Bernardino Sheriff's deputies.

It wasn't very long chase. The suspect pulled out a gun and committed suicide, according to a Scottsdale police spokesperson.

The investigation into Princiotta death, a 15-year veteran of the NYC Fire Department, began after his decomposed body was found in his condominium on May 14. Apparently, a worried family member called to report they hadn't heard from him in a while.

His death was ruled a homicide after authorities determined Princiotta had died of gunshot wounds. The motive for the slaying remained unclear.

Police have not released information about the suspect.

Reportedly, Princiotta's body was given a police escort on a fire engine to Phoenix's Sky Harbor International Airport, from where it was flown back to New York for funeral services.