POLK COUNTY, Fla. — The Polk County Sheriff’s Office on Monday identified a suspect accused of stabbing an 81-year-old man at an independent living facility.

• ABOVE: Spectrum News speaks with neighbor about what happened
• BELOW: Watch Sheriff Grady Judd's Monday news conference

Moses Ojeda, according to Sheriff Grady Judd, stabbed Patrick Benway a total of 113 times in the Sunday incident on Blue Bird Avenue.

Benway was living in a group home managed by “ET Home Care, LLC” along with three other roommates. One of those roommates, Ojeda, had just moved in a day prior after being released from a local hospital, the sheriff’s office said.

Ojeda told detectives that he did not have any problems with the victim and described him as a good person.

During the investigation, Ojeda confirmed to investigators that he entered the victim’s bedroom where he was lying in bed and stabbed him multiple times.

A news release stated: “The victim did not physically resist but did ask, according to Ojeda, ‘Why would you want to do this to me?’ before succumbing to his injuries. Ojeda stated he has no regrets and he wanted to kill him because he was “already dying.”

The release said Ojeda told deputies that he cleaned the knife used and put it back in the kitchen, then removed his blood-stained clothing and placed it in a laundry basket.

“All of the evidence gathered by detectives was consistent with the suspect’s statements regarding his stabbing the victim,” the release said.

He was arrested and charged with first-degree murder and tampering with physical evidence.

“This was a senseless and tragic act of violence. Our detectives, forensic investigators, and Bartow Police Department officers worked diligently to take Ojeda into custody and gather evidence to hold him accountable,” Judd said.

LANDLORD REMEMBERS VICTIM

Adrena Thornton fought back tears as she remembered Benway, her tenant.

Thornton has provided care for people with mental and physical disabilities since 2015. She said she had never had any issues at her assisted living group homes until Sunday.

“It’s like the devil showed up at the door and rocked everybody’s world and took an innocent man’s life," she said.

Benway started living at the facility in February, Thornton said.

“He was very happy with where he was at," she said. "My mama had just talked to him the day before and he was just, he was just real happy.”

Thornton said Benway had several doctor's appointments lined up and was on track to getting back on his feet.