Suffolk cops: Man kills victim, sets body on fire

A 20-year-old Shirley man shot another man dead and set the body on fire, according to the authorities in Suffolk County.

Peter Pendzinski, who is accused of commiting the crime in the backyard of the home where he lives, faces a second-degree murder charge, according to a Suffolk police news release; Officers responding about 2:30 a.m. Saturday to a 911 call of a fire on Mastic Boulevard West, near Windsor Place, discovered the body.

Pendzinski shot the victim sometime between 11:30 p.m. on Christmas Day and 2:33 a.m. on Saturday, according to a charging document provided by Sheila Kelly, the Suffolk district attorney's spokeswoman. The document says Pendzinski fired "several shots from a handgun."

Pendzinski was taken to a hospital for treatment of nonlife-threatening injuries he suffered during the fire, police said; he was arraigned Monday at his hospital bed and ordered jailed without bail, Kelly said.

The 911 call was made by a neighbor and the property is owned by Pendzinski's father, according to an email from the police press office that didn't disclose a potential motive or other details.

An autopsy will be done by the county medical examiner's office to determine the cause of death and identify the victim, according to the email.

With Keldy Ortiz

By Matthew Chayes

matthew.chayes@newsday.com,john.asbury@newsday.comchayesmatthew,

Matthew Chayes, a Newsday reporter since 2007, covers New York City.