NEW YORK (1010 WINS/WCBS 880) — A Bronx DJ known as “Mr.
Cool” who died over the weekend succumbed to brain injuries he sustained when he was beaten by his housemate for sneaking into his refrigerator stash, police explained Tuesday.
Mark Gocul, 50, was allegedly attacked by a fellow tenant in his home on Furman Avenue in Wakefield at about 7:30 a.m. on Sunday, June 23 after he was accused of touching his housemate’s things, according to NYPD Chief of Detectives Joseph Kenny.
“DJ Cool apparently took something out of his refrigerator,” Kenny said of the attack.
Robert Hector, 34, is accused of the beating-turned-murder. He also lived in the two-family home, which was separated into smaller units.
Kenny said that Gocul’s injuries included multiple orbital fractures, a brain bleed and swelling to the brain allegedly caused by Hector punching and kicking his head and face repeatedly.
“He was injured so severely, at one point he goes into cardiac arrest,” Kenny said.
Gocul was taken by private means to Montefiore Mount Vernon Hospital, but was soon transported to Westchester County Medical Center for additional treatment.
Police were able to interview Gocul before he died, and he identified Hector as his assailant.
On Saturday, nearly two weeks after the initial incident, Gocul succumbed to his injuries. The medical examiner deemed his death a homicide.
Hector, who fled after the beating and has not been caught, has an extensive criminal history.
“He has 10 prior arrests. In 2015, attempted murder, he assaulted a male with a hammer. Several robbery cases,” Kenny said.
Anyone with information is asked to call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-577-TIPS.