Bristow Man Accused of Killing Friend With Claw Hammer

Laura L. Thornton and Jamie Rogers, editors

A Bristow man who police say killed his friend with a claw hammer in the Chesapeake & Ohio Canal National Historic Park in Bethesda last month has been charged with manslaughter,The Gazette reported. 

Police arrested David DiPaolo on Jan. 8 in New York. The claw hammer attack that led to the death of Geoffrey Farrar, 69, of Arlington, took place on Dec. 28, according to The Gazette.

DiPaolo and Farrar had been friends for many years, according to court documents, but got into an argument before starting a hike in the park on Dec. 28, two witnesses who were friends of the men said, The Gazette reported.

The argument became physical, and DiPaolo told police that as Farrar tried to choke him, DiPaolo hit him with the claw hammer, The Gazette reported.

Farrar died shortly thereafter at a nearby hospital, according to The Gazette.

 Authorities said DiPaolo fled the scene, but was arrested this month after police traced a called he made on a pay phone, according to a Bristow Beat report. 
DiPaolo's father,Vincent, told reporters his son has bipolar disorder. Vincent DiPaolo added that his son and Farrar were friends, but competitive and that he believes his son acted in self defense.