College Avenue alleged shooter had long history of complaints against landlords, building management
News 12's newsroom first interviewed Avila in 2018, and again in 2022 when he raised concerns about another apartment on Grant Ave.
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A man identifying himself as 42-year-old Jimmy Avila called the News 12 newsroom early Wednesday morning, identifying himself as the person who shot three people in his College Avenue apartment building.
News 12 has been speaking with Avila for years.
Since at least 2018, Avila has shown a pattern of conflicts with landlords and building management across multiple apartments. In 2024, he spoke with News 12 inside his College Avenue unit, where he had court documents taped to his front door.
That wasn’t the first time. News 12's newsroom first interviewed Avila in 2018, and again in 2022 when he raised concerns about another apartment on Grant Ave.
Over the years, Avila has sent dozens of emails detailing disputes with landlords and supers.
His most recent email was sent on Aug. 16. Then, on the morning of the shooting, he called News 12, saying, “I would like to surrender with News 12 there.”
Avila also claimed he felt let down by building management and Adult Protective Services and that he needed to defend himself.
"They were people that have been threatening my life,” he said.
Court records show he was previously removed from a residence for being violent and aggressive. He filed multiple complaints against neighbors. Just last month, Avila reported harassment and menacing.
Police are still investigating the motive behind the shooting. As of now, no charges have been filed against Avila.
