Maryland pastor calls police after 87-year-old allegedly confesses to killing roommate

FREDERICK, Md. (7News) — An 87-year-old man’s confession to his pastor led to his arrest on murder charges, according to Frederick police.

Charging documents reveal what led up to the arrest of Irwin Dickstein on Sunday.

RELATED | 87-year-old faces murder charges after deadly Frederick shooting

Records show police were called by the pastor of Frederick Christian Fellowship Church around 10:30 a.m. on Sunday. The pastor told investigators that a congregant, Dickstein, had confessed to killing someone, according to the charging documents.

When officers questioned Dickstein, the man confirmed the victim — his roommate, 63-year-old Michael Bushnell — was inside a home along Franklin Street, but then asked for a lawyer, records show.

Investigators said officers went to the home around 11:32 a.m. and found Bushnell dead in a bathroom with multiple gunshot wounds.

Officers said they questioned a neighbor who said Bushnell and Dickstein had been arguing prior to the shooting. The victim told the neighbor the argument stemmed from Bushnell turning off the power while he was trying to fix an outlet, according to the documents. The neighbor said this enraged Dickstein. The man added that he had heard several loud bangs coming from the direction of Dickstein’s home around 5:30 that morning, records show.

Dickstein faces charges of first- and second-degree murder. He is being held without bond.