DISTRICT ATTORNEY Release # 21-2015 www.queensda.org twitter@QueensDABrown QUEENS COUNTY 125-01 QUEENS BOULEVARD KEW GARDENS, NEW YORK 11415-1568 718-286-6000 RICHARD A. BROWN DISTRICT ATTORNEY FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE MONDAY, FEBRUARY 2, 2015 CONTACT: PRESS OFFICE (718) 286-6315 QUEENS MAN CHARGED WITH MURDER IN FATAL SHOOTING OF EUROPEAN FRIEND IN ASTORIA PARK Defendant Faces Up To 25 Years To Life In Prison If Convicted Queens District Attorney Richard A. Brown announced today that an Astoria, Queens, man has been charged with fatally shooting a friend from Italy on Saturday evening in Astoria Park. District Attorney Brown said, “The defendant is accused of taking the life of a friend who was seeking his help in starting a new life in this country. This case is another unfortunate example of the senseless gun violence that seems to more and more permeate our society.” The District Attorney identified the defendant as Alexander Bonich, 50, of 25-66 42nd Street, Astoria, Queens. Bonich is presently being held pending arraignment in Queens Criminal Court on charges of second-degree murder, second-degree criminal possession of a weapon and tampering with physical evidence. If convicted, he faces up to 25 years to life in prison. District Attorney Brown said that, according to the charges, William Klinger, 42, of Rome, Italy, had been with Bonich inside Astoria Park, located at 19th Street & 23rd Road, on the afternoon of Saturday, January 31, 2015, when the two men began to argue. As Mr. Klinger attempted to walk away, Bonich allegedly ordered him to stop. It is alleged that when Mr. Klinger disregarded the command, Bonich shot him once in the back of the head. Mr. Klinger immediately fell to the ground and Bonich allegedly shot him once more in the head. Thereafter, Bonich allegedly got rid of the clothing that he had been wearing, as well the weapon, ammunition and spent shells. Later that afternoon, a 911 call was received of an unresponsive male at the bottom of the stairs on a landing in Astoria Park. Mr. Klinger was transported to a local Queens hospital where he was pronounced dead. An x-ray revealed two gunshots to the head. The investigation was conducted by police officers assigned to the New York City Police Department’s 114th Precinct Detective Squad. Assistant District Attorney Amanda Fix, of the District Attorney’s Homicide Investigations Bureau, is prosecuting the case under the supervision of Assistant District Attorneys Peter T. Reese, Bureau Chief, and Peter J. McCormack III and Richard B. Schaeffer, Deputy Bureau Chiefs, and the overall supervision of Executive Assistant District Attorney for Major Crimes Charles A. Testagrossa and Deputy Executive Assistant District Attorney for Major Crimes Daniel A. Saunders. It should be noted that a criminal complaint is merely an accusation and that a defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty. # Note to Editors: Press release e-version posted at www.queensda.org.