MIAMI BEACH, Fla. – A Miami physician who shot another man to death at the Flamingo South Beach condominium Friday claims he did so in self defense, according to his attorney.
Dr. Andrew Pastewski fired several shots, killing Richard Petik, 40, in a glass enclosed corridor at the Miami Beach building where they both live.
"The unfortunate incident at the Flamingo culminated in an act of self-defense by Dr. Pastewski, who was attacked by an individual who had been threatening, harassing and stalking both Dr. Pastewski and his pregnant fiancée for months," his attorney, Sean Ellsworth, said in an email.
Petik was a disabled Army veteran, according to his family. He has an arrest record that includes battery and disorderly conduct.
Police confirm they know of past encounters between Petik and Pastewski.
Shortly after the shooting, police detained Pastewski at the building and then released him pending results of an autopsy and the State Attorney's Office investigation.
Pastewski declined an interview.
"My office has been advised that the Miami-Dade County state attorney's office and the Miami Beach Police Department are currently investigating this matter, and therefore we will not be commenting further during the pending investigation," Ellsworth said.
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