Police: Man murdered in Queens park shot by friend

The man shot to death in Astoria Park over the weekend was killed by a friend after a real estate deal soured, the NYPD said on Monday.

William Klinger, 42, was shot twice in the head in the park on Saturday. His unresponsive body was found at the bottom of a staircase. He was pronounced dead at Elmhurst Hospital.

According to the Queens DA office, Klinger and the suspect, Alexander Bonich started arguing in the park. Klinger tried to leave, but Bonich ordered him to stop. When he didn’t, Bonich allegedly shot him in the back of the head, and again when he fell to the ground.

Bonich, 50, of Astoria, was arrested on charges of second-degree murder, criminal possession of a weapon and tampering with physical evidence. Queens DA Richard Brown said Monday Bonich faces 25 years to life in prison if convicted.

​Both men are Croatian nationals and friends, according to NYPD Chief of Detectives Robert Boyce. Klinger and Bonich were believed to be involved in real estate deals.

​​A noted historian, Klinger was a resident of Rome, Italy and in New York to attend a conference about the former Yugoslavia.