Detroit police investigating after longtime employee shot to death at hotel on Woodward

Detroit hotel employee killed; co-worker believes rent dispute led to murder

An employee at the Normandie Hotel in Detroit was killed Monday. A co-worker and friend of the victim said he was shot as he was locking a door of a tenant who hadn't paid rent.

DETROIT (FOX 2) - An employee at a Detroit hotel was shot to death Monday, police said.

According to police, the man was shot by another man at the Normandie Hotel at 11626 Woodward Ave. around 11:20 a.m.

Alex Stefko, a maintenance man at the hotel, said the victim, who was also a maintenance man, worked there for more than 20 years.

Stefko said he talked to the victim about remodeling a room. After, the victim went to lock the door of a tenant who was late on their rent. That's when Stefko said he was killed.

"So much, for a minor dispute. It didn’t have to happen like this, especially shooting down like this. He was trying to run away," Stefko said. "I had to go and let his son know. It’s one of the hardest things I’ve had to do is let my best friend’s son know that his father passed."

The shooter fled the scene. Police said they know his identity.

Anyone with information is asked to call 313-596-1340 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-SPEAK-UP.