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Apparent Random Murder Stuns Middletown

Vietnam Vet Stabbed While Walking Home From Work

MIDDLETOWN, N.Y. (CBS) ― Police in Orange County are looking for a cold-blooded killer who attacked a man Wednesday night, apparently at random. The incident happened as the victim was walking home from work.

A public works crew washed down the bloody crime scene on Thursday, at the spot where 59-year-old Robert Kwiatkowski fell after he was fatally stabbed.

Father Dennis Nikolic said Kwiatkowski was a devoted parent to his teenage son and daughter.

"He was a very quiet man, not sure if many people knew him that well, but he was very intelligent and very warm, very gentle," Father Dennis Nikolic said.

Middletown Police say the victim was simply walking home from work along busy Route 211 at 9:40 p.m. Wednesday when someone apparently tried to rob him.

Police believe when Kwiatkowski resisted the robber stabbed him in the neck and then fled the scene. The victim staggered a few feet before falling. He quickly bled to death.

Kwiatkowski worked at a variety store in Walkill. Co-workers and customers were devastated to hear of his senseless murder.

"He was a responsible person, always had a great attitude, always great with customers," store manager Tom Pinto said. "I got nothing bad to say about the guy. He was just sweet."

The victim was a Vietnam vet – a Marine. Friends say his accounting career was derailed by personal problems, but in recent years he had begun to put his life back together.

Middletown Police Chief Matthew Byrne said because the scene is so busy, cops are convinced someone saw something. They are counting on help from the public to catch the killer.

Police say they can't rule out the victim may have been targeted, but all signs point to this being a random crime.

"The investigation is still in the early stages but it appears he is a true random victim," Byrne said.

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