A man was arrested at his Oceanside apartment Thursday after police found his friend dead inside.
The Oceanside Police Department was called to the Mission Cove Apartments just before noon. A 41-year-old man was found dead in a unit on the third floor and appeared to have suffered traumatic injuries to his upper body.
OPD said the victim was visiting the renter, 66-year-old Michael Newton.
A homicide investigation was launched and detectives arrested Newton, alleging he was responsible for the victim's death.
Neighbor Thomas Froning, who lives one floor below Newton, said Newton came knocking on his door covered in blood.
"I let him in but I seen his clothes. I saw his clothes were full of evidence. Let's just put it that way," Froning said.
Froning then followed Newton to his apartment where they found the victim dead.
"I said, 'Don't push me in.' I stood on the threshold and I said, 'OK, we're out of here.' He said, 'Where are we going?' I said, 'Shut the f------ door. This is all I need to see. We are going down to the office,'" Froning said.
Froning was tasked with giving up a friend to police knowing it was the right thing to do.
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The manner in which the victim died was not specified.
OPD said the victim had been visiting Newton for some time. Froning described the relationship between the two as close but at times combative.
"I was just thinking about it. I knew something like this could happen," Froning said. "I love [Newton]. I stuck up for him and I defended other people against him."
Froning says Newton suffered severe brain damage from an unrelated fight with a family member some time ago.
The complex is located south of State Route 76 along Mission Avenue near Airport Road.
Residents told NBC 7 the complex serves seniors and low-income renters.
No other information was available.
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