By Adam Nichols and Murray Weiss
DNAinfo Reporters
MANHATTAN — The man accused of beating a Columbia University employee and stuffing him in the trunk of a BMW was gunned down by US Marshals in Florida on Friday, according to a report.
Barion Blake died during a wild gunfight in Jacksonville, police sources said.
He had been on the run since late January when Akeem Ajimotokan was found in the trunk of his car with his ear nearly severed.
Police sources said he was tracked to a building in Jacksonville through a cell phone he was using.
As local police and US Marshals surrounded him , he tried to escape through a window.
The police sources said 30 rounds were fired.
Ajimotokan had posted an advertisement to sell his 2008 BMW M3 on a website, and thought Blake was a potential buyer, police said.
The victim was only found because Blake allegedly crashed into a taxi in Inwood and fled. Police said Ajimotokan had been held captive overnight.
Ajimotokan's condition is improving, but he remains in a coma, according to his brother, Dr. Ajo Ajim.
"We remain hopeful and prayerful that he'll continue to do better," said Ajim.
The news of Blake's death left family members with some sense of relief that further harm would not come to Ajimotokan, Ajim said.
"Very saddened on the other hand at the senseless waste of life over a vehicle," Ajim said, adding that he was nonetheless "very glad that Mr. Blake will not have to hurt anyone anymore."
