A man allegedly committed suicide by jumping off the rooftop of an SRO hotel on Sunday afternoon, according to witnesses.
Nearby residents said the man fell or jumped from the rooftop of the three-floor Crystal Hotel and died instantly. Police are calling it a suicide.
This is the second time a man has fallen or jumped from the roof at this hotel, according to hotel owners. Greg Pool, 50, died after falling from the roof on June 1. His death has been deemed suspicious and the investigation is ongoing, according to the Medical Examiner’s office.
Mita Shaw, who owns the hotel, said the man who jumped was visiting a friend and they were watching a football game together. The friend told Shaw that the man was depressed because he was unemployed and his father was ill.
Shaw said that residents are not allowed to go onto the roof, but she cannot lock the doors because it is a fire escape.
Whatever happened, that is so tragic…I walk past there every day.. May God rest his poor soul. I’m born and raised in this neighborhood…That is one shady hotel. I’m glad they are investigating. I could only imagine what nightmares the witnesses have…