Binghamton Man Charged in West Side Homicide and Fire

Authorities say they've arrested a suspect in connection with the killing of a Binghamton resident and setting a fire in a West Side apartment house.

Authorities say 45-year-old Wilfredo Pica-Torres of 107 Walnut Street has been charged with second-degree murder, first-degree burglary and second-degree arson.

Investigators say Pica-Torres is believed to have beat 61-year-old Victor Banayan and a 27-year-old woman with a blunt object. The man and woman were attacked in a first-floor apartment at 109 Walnut Street early Saturday morning.

Detectives say Pica-Torres is accused of setting fire to the building during or after the beatings.

Banayan's body was found by firefighters. The woman who was attacked made it out of the burning building. She sustained bone fractures and blunt force trauma to her head.

Three adults and four children who were in a second-floor apartment were able to flee without injury.

Police tracked down Pica-Torres to an apartment building at 17-19 Thorp Street, a few blocks from the fire scene. A SWAT team was called after he barricaded himself inside a vacant apartment. Pica-Torres then allegedly set a fire inside the apartment.

Investigators say the suspect came out of the building and was taken into custody. He was treated for minor hand injuries. He faces an arson charge in connection with the fire in that apartment house.

Detectives say Pica-Torres and the woman who was attacked in the Walnut Street apartment had previously been involved in a romantic relationship.

Pica-Torres was arraigned by a Binghamton City Court judge and sent to Broome County Jail.

Contact WNBF News reporter Bob Joseph: bob@wnbf.com

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