Man mistakes house for his own, kills neighbor thinking he was an intruder
RAYTOWN, Mo. — A Missouri man has been charged with involuntary manslaughter after he allegedly went to his neighbor’s home, thinking it was his own, then choked his neighbor to death on the victim’s front yard.
Police believe Michael G. Augustine was drunk at the time he allegedly killed 60-year-old Clifton King, according to WDAF.
King died in his front yard Friday night, after he came to his door to find Augustine trying to come inside.
Neighbors told WDAF that Augustine, who lives down the block, believed the home was his and that King had broken in.
During the incident, Augustine called 911 to report that he had an intruder in a chokehold.
But when officers arrived at Augustine’s address, no one was there. They later found both men about a block up the street at King’s house.
According to court documents, police believe Augustine was drunk because his speech was incoherent and officers noted a strong smell of alcohol.
A neighbor, who did not want her face to appear on camera because the incident has made her concerned for her own safety, said she watched paramedics try to revive King, a military veteran, for about 30 minutes.
“He served our country and that was not an honorable way to treat him,” the woman said. “I think that it’s sad. It’s sad. Someone had to give up their life because someone was so messed up they didn’t know it wasn’t their home.”
Other neighbors said that King had been homeless at one time in his life because he couldn’t find a job but as long as he lived in their neighborhood, he was friendly and kind.
Some neighbors said they feel guilty about not immediately calling police themselves when they heard the commotion. They said there are often arguments on the block, and some thought it was better for them not to get involved.
Prosecutors have charged Augustine with first-degree involuntary manslaughter. Neighbors said he’s already posted bond and moved out of the area.
There was no answer at his door when WDAF tried to speak with him.