Fort Smith police say an argument about the Bible turned violent early Friday morning. Officers say George Lyles, 50, threatened to stab a man with a screwdriver.
Officers say the incident happened at a house on N. 55th Street around 3 a.m. Friday. According to a police report, Marty Pickler told police he woke up and Lyles was on top of him, holding something to his back, threatening to stab him.
Pickler's mother says alcohol was involved.
The police report states Pickler and Lyles had a different interpretation of the Bible.
"I mean it's a serious subject, but I don't think it should get to that level where someone should get violent," said Martasha Stewart, a neighbor.
Police say the argument started earlier in the day and Lyles "continued to stew over it" before becoming violent.
"Either someone's really religious or they just can't coincide with each other," said Cody Thompson, another person who lives in the area.
According to the police report, Lyles admitted he put the screwdriver to Pickler's back, but said he was just "playing with him."
Lyles faces an aggravated domestic assault charge. According to the Sebastian County Detention Center he is being held without bond.