FAYETTEVILLE -- Police arrested a man late Monday in connection with the stabbing death of a man at Walker Park, Sgt. Craig Stout said Wednesday.
The victim's name hadn't yet been released pending notification of next of kin, Stout said. Police were still looking for the man's family Wednesday, he said.
Killings in Fayetteville
Police departments in Fayetteville have investigated and made arrests in three homicide cases this year.
• David Henry Fox, Jr., 53, died around Jan. 4 of blunt force trauma, according to University of Arkansas police.
• Victoria Davis, 24, was held captive, beaten and died around Aug. 19 near Fayetteville High School, police said.
• An unnamed man was stabbed to death Monday night at Walker Park, Fayetteville police said.
Source: Staff Report
Jimmy Lee Hancock, 46, was arrested on suspicion of first-degree murder, terroristic threatening and aggravated assault. He was at the Washington County Detention Center with no bond Wednesday.
The preliminary arrest report listed Hancock as homeless, but jail records reported a Siloam Springs address. Police haven't released the victim's address.
A police officer on patrol found a man, who was in his 50s, dead beneath a covered pavilion around 11:15 p.m. Monday at the park, 10 W. 15th St., according to a preliminary police report released late Tuesday night.
Stout said Wednesday the dead man was stabbed multiple times around the head and neck. Blood was found at the scene, he said.
A knife was found near Hancock, who was still near the body, according to the preliminary report. A test on the knife showed the blade tested positive for blood, according to the report.
Hancock's clothing and hands were stained with what police thought could be blood, according to the report.
Hancock had no apparent injuries, police said.
Hancock was arrested in connection with public intoxication Monday night, but while being taken to jail, Hancock asked a police officer if anyone was saying he stabbed someone.
A witness told police Hancock had been involved in an aggravated assault and terroristic threatening incident earlier Monday, before the killing happened, according to the report.
Police don't plan to release the witness's name, Stout said Wednesday.
The witness told police Hancock held a knife to the witness's chest because he refused to drink with Hancock, according to the report. The witness described a knife similar to what was recovered by where the man was killed, according to the report.
The witness said Hancock told him: "Anyone who quits drinking deserves to die!" according to the report.
The witness also said he saw the man who was killed and Hancock together before the police officer arrived on patrol.
Hancock said he was at the pavilion with the man who was found dead and the witness, but Hancock said he didn't remember how the man died, according to the report. Hancock also said he didn't assault the witness, the report states.
The investigation is ongoing, police said.
NW News on 09/03/2015