Irwin Joseph Dikstein arrested for murdering his apartment neighbor
24 september 2026 в 13:13
87-year-old Irwin Joseph Dikstein was arrested in Maryland after he allegedly confessed to his pastor that he killed his roommate, 63-year-old Michael Roy Bushnell, following an argument over an electrical outlet.
Dikstein was taken into custody on Sunday, September 20, and has been charged with first- and second-degree murder. According to Frederick police, they learned of the incident on September 20 when the Frederick County sheriff informed them of a possible homicide. A press release states that Dikstein allegedly told a witness that he shot his roommate and indicated the location where it occurred.
Upon arriving at the scene, police found that the house was not locked and entered, where they discovered Bushnell, who was pronounced dead at the scene. Dikstein was later found elsewhere and taken into custody without incident.
According to documents reviewed by WJLA, disputes had arisen between the neighbors regarding electrical work in their shared home. Bushnell reportedly told a neighbor that Dikstein was upset with him after he cut the power while trying to fix the outlet. The neighbor told investigators that he heard the men arguing, followed by several loud noises around 5:30 a.m.
Later that morning, Dikstein went to Frederick Christian Fellowship Church, where he allegedly told the pastor that he had killed someone. The pastor contacted the police around 10:30 and reported the crime.
After his arrest, Dikstein reportedly confessed to the murder to detectives, confirming that he was in the house on Franklin Street during the shooting. He then declined to speak without a lawyer.
Dikstein was brought to the church by a man who also spoke with detectives. This man reported that Dikstein told him he needed to talk to the pastor and that he saw the accused leave what appeared to be a firearm in the trunk of his car. Following this, police obtained a search warrant and seized a Beretta pistol from his vehicle.
Dikstein is currently being held in the Frederick County jail without bail. It is unclear whether he has entered a plea; he has been assigned a public defender. The next court hearing is scheduled for October 13 to determine his competency.
Dikstein was taken into custody on Sunday, September 20, and has been charged with first- and second-degree murder. According to Frederick police, they learned of the incident on September 20 when the Frederick County sheriff informed them of a possible homicide. A press release states that Dikstein allegedly told a witness that he shot his roommate and indicated the location where it occurred.
Upon arriving at the scene, police found that the house was not locked and entered, where they discovered Bushnell, who was pronounced dead at the scene. Dikstein was later found elsewhere and taken into custody without incident.
According to documents reviewed by WJLA, disputes had arisen between the neighbors regarding electrical work in their shared home. Bushnell reportedly told a neighbor that Dikstein was upset with him after he cut the power while trying to fix the outlet. The neighbor told investigators that he heard the men arguing, followed by several loud noises around 5:30 a.m.
Later that morning, Dikstein went to Frederick Christian Fellowship Church, where he allegedly told the pastor that he had killed someone. The pastor contacted the police around 10:30 and reported the crime.
After his arrest, Dikstein reportedly confessed to the murder to detectives, confirming that he was in the house on Franklin Street during the shooting. He then declined to speak without a lawyer.
Dikstein was brought to the church by a man who also spoke with detectives. This man reported that Dikstein told him he needed to talk to the pastor and that he saw the accused leave what appeared to be a firearm in the trunk of his car. Following this, police obtained a search warrant and seized a Beretta pistol from his vehicle.
Dikstein is currently being held in the Frederick County jail without bail. It is unclear whether he has entered a plea; he has been assigned a public defender. The next court hearing is scheduled for October 13 to determine his competency.
© Smirnova Olga
