MIAMI.- A man was arrested on suspicion of having fatally stabbed a pastor in the Iglesia Westview Baptist, in the city of Opa-locka, county Miami-Dade.
The victim, Antwane Dwayne Lenoir, 41, was found on the ground with stab wounds to her neck. Authorities pronounced him dead at the scene.
The suspect was identified as James Walter Dawkins44, who faces a charge of first-degree murder.
According to investigators, Dawkins, a musician ordained by Lenoir, resided at the church because he was allegedly homeless.
What is known about the death of the pastor
An apparent verbal altercation between both men resulted in the fatal stabbing after Lenoir ordered the locks on the doors of the religious center to be changed, according to investigations.
The authorities reported that the Dawkins’ arrest occurred in the afternoon hours of Sunday in the area of 62nd Street and Northwest 27th Avenue in Miami.
The motivation behind the stabbing is still unclear to investigators in the case.
Opa-locka Mayor John Taylor called Lenoir “a noble man and friend (…) We were fortunate to have this Great Man as part of our community, serving in various roles to ensure our residents had a voice.”
Dawkins was detained without bail at the Turner Guilford Knight Correctional Center.
