UPDATE: Suspect identified in Fayetteville homicide investigation

Jimmy Hancock
Jimmy Hancock

FAYETTEVILLE — Police arrested a man late Monday in connection with the killing of a man at Walker Park, according to a preliminary police report released late Tuesday.

The victim’s name has not yet been released pending notification of next of kin, Sgt. Craig Stout said in a message Tuesday.

Jimmy Lee Hancock, 46, was arrested on suspicion of murder in the first degree, terroristic threatening and aggravated assault. He was at the Washington County Detention Center with no bond Tuesday.

The preliminary arrest report listed Hancock as homeless, but jail records reported a Siloam Springs address.

A police officer on patrol found the body of a man in his 50s beneath a covered pavilion around 11:15 p.m. Monday at 10 W. 15th St., according to the report. The officer also found Hancock nearby, according to the report.

Blood was also found at the scene, Stout said previously. A knife was found near Hancock, according to the preliminary report. The knife's blade tested positive for blood, the report stated.

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 policeman 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. The witness said Hancock held a knife to the witness’s chest because he refused to drink with Hancock.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 did not remember how the man died, according to the report. Hancock also said he did not assault the witness, the report states.

The investigation is ongoing, police said.

The park where the killing occurred is known as a hangout spot for homeless people, said neighbor Jimmy Jordon.

Jordon's home is across the street from the park. He said he sometimes sits up at night and watches homeless people walk around the park, start fires and drink alcohol.

"They have nothing to do and no where to go," Jordon said. "It's a problem."

Jordon said he has called police about five times this year because of intoxicated people at the park near children. Some of the homeless people have become violent in the past, he said.

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