New York Killer Shoots Himself In Florida As Cops Close In

"MIAMI, FL — The man wanted for killing his estranged wife and her beau in a Bronx motel, killed himself yesterday in Miami as authorities attempted to arrest him, sources said.

"Joseph Kernizan, 42, was tracked down to a residence in North Miami by the New York - New Jersey Regional Fugitive Task Force, law enforcement sources said.

"As US Marshals and NYPD detectives were closing in on him just before 11 p.m., Kernizan fired three shots, law enforcement sources [said].

"None of the rounds went through any walls or windows, and none of the pursuing lawmen were hit.

"Authorities sent a robot inside and its video camera captured footage of Kerizan dead of a self-inflicted wound, on the bedroom floor with a small semi-automatic gun by his side, sources said.

"The agencies, working with the Florida - Caribbean Regional Fugitive Task Force, recovered three firearms from the residence—Kernizan’s gun and two fully loaded AK-47s stashed in a duffle bag, sources said.

"Kernizan was wanted for the fatal shootings of his ex, Tracy Bennett, and her boyfriend, Wayne Hamilton.

"The Long Island woman and her reggae-musician lover were shot dead in the parking lot of the Holiday Motel early Saturday, cops and witnesses said.

"Authorities got tips that Kernizan had several friends in Miami, and cops were on the ground there on Monday night, following his pals around town, sources said.

"Officers zeroed in on an apartment building in the 15000 block of Northwest 2nd Avenue in North Miami, where Kenizan was staying with a friend, sources said.

"About 20 US Marshals and officers circled the building and ordered everyone out last night. Kernizan drew the shades on his pal's apartment when cops shouted instructions.

"He then fled out the back of building, but saw he was surrounded and dashed back inside and locked the door, sources said.

"Kernizan's friend walked out and gave himself up 10 minutes later, leaving the gunman inside for his final minutes of life. He never verbally responded to any commands shouted by police outside.

"The gutless killer went out on his terms—unlike his victims who were gunned down in cold blood at the Holiday Motel in the Bronx early Saturday morning."

From The New York Post...