Murder suspect claims stabbing was retaliation, police say

LAWRENCE, Indiana – Lawrence police arrested a man on murder charges following a fatal stabbing over the weekend.

Police believe the suspect was insane because his dog had been stabbed to death by the victim just minutes earlier.

On Saturday afternoon, Lawrence police were called to the corner of 46th and Shadeland and found Lonnie Naylor bleeding in the grass. The 51-year-old died in the hospital from complications after being stabbed in the heart.

Police immediately arrested 40-year-old Andrew Brown for murder after witnesses explained the reason for the violence.

“It all revolved around a dog that was stabbed, and the suspect went and stabbed the person who stabbed his dog,” said Lawrence Deputy Police Chief Travis Cline.

According to the arrest affidavit, Brown’s dog became aggressive and bit a teenager, after which Naylor stabbed the dog.

This reportedly made Brown angry and he was told to calm down and leave the apartment his girlfriend shared with Naylor’s girlfriend.

A short time later, Naylor went to a nearby gas station, where surveillance cameras allegedly show Brown ambushing and stabbing Naylor. Naylor fell to the ground and attempted to flee as the suspect chased him and continued to beat the victim.

“It’s not worth it. You’re taking someone’s life, but you’re essentially taking your own life. Walk away and let calmer heads prevail,” Cline said.

The fatal stabbing occurred just 10 days after another victim was shot in the same parking lot behind the Shadeland Terrace Townhomes.

Lawrence police said both murders could have been prevented if people had resolved their conflicts peacefully.

“We just need to be better people and de-escalate the situation,” Cline said. “We’re a safer community when we start to de-escalate the situation instead of immediately resorting to violence.”

For his part, according to court documents, Brown admitted to police that he was angry at the victim for stabbing his dog, but denied stabbing Naylor out of revenge.

The suspect is being held in the Marion County Jail without bail pending formal charges.