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ORLANDO, Fla. (WOFL FOX 35) - The family of a man fatally stabbed by his ex-housemates is too distraught to talk publicly, after gruesome details of the death were released by deputies on Wednesday, according to the family's pastor.
"Mom called. She was screaming, 'My son! My son! They killed my son!' so I immediately rushed over," explained Pastor Derrick McRae, of Experience Christian Center, after the family of Joshua Barnes learned of his death.
Deputies said 22-year-old Jake Bilotta surrendered after he fled from the crime scene. His 21-year-old roommate, Ian McClurg, hid in a bathroom at the home where the stabbing occurred, allegedly over a stolen PlayStation gaming system. Authorities said a third roommate came home and called police when he saw Barnes was dead.
"To hear some of the details was very challenging for mom," Pastor McRae said.
Investigators said Bilotta and McClurg killed Barnes after luring him into his former home. They then used a seven-inch chef's knife to kill him, before stuffing his body into plastic bags.
"A sign of rage of the individuals," McRae believes, "because to shoot is one thing, but the way they're talking about body parts, that's a whole different level of rage."
Investigators said it was a case of roommate revenge. Pastor McRae said there needs to be a better way of resolving disputes.
"The climate of hate that is strong in our communities, we have to process, think of some kind of systems to bring resolves. Not only did Josh lose his young life, the parents of those other young men are potentially seeing their kids lives as well being sent down the drain, because of a needless act."
McRae said Barnes was the oldest of five children and the father of a four-year-old boy. He said he would never forget his last exchange with him, hours before he died, asking him to sit closer to him during church.
"I said, 'From now I can see you closer to the front.' He said, 'I can do that, I can do that.' Needless to say, less than 24 hours, he wouldn't be with us."
McRae said Barnes' parents will care for their grandson. Both suspects are being held in jail on no bond.