FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — A man was arrested on June 13 after he allegedly killed his roommate during an argument, according to a release from the Fayetteville Police Department (FPD).
FPD said that on June 12, officers responded to an apartment complex near the area of North Lapis Lane for a welfare concern at around 12:30 p.m.
According to police, someone called to report that 27-year-old Jason Lawson had killed his roommate after an argument at their apartment.
When officials arrived at the apartment, they found 33-year-old Benjamin Martin deceased on the kitchen floor and evidence that matched the witness' statements, FPD said.
The release states Lawson killed Martin on the night of June 8 and poured gasoline on his body and his surroundings. Officers said they also found evidence that indicated Lawson tried to clean the crime scene.
Police say that the area where this incident happened is typically quiet.
"As you add people to any place, you have rates of criminal activity increase. But that specific apartment complex is, you know, generally, a very safe and quiet area," Fayetteville Spokesperson Sgt Stephen Mauk said.
Lawson was found the next day by Rogers police and was arrested for first-degree murder and tampering with evidence, the release said.
Once he was read his Miranda Rights at the Fayetteville Police Department, Lawson was interviewed by investigators.
Lawson said that during the argument, the victim "raised a hammer" towards him and that's when he opened a pocketknife. Lawson alleged the victim "fell on the blade" and described "things were a blur."
FPD says that Lawson did not tell police where the knife was or any further details, as he claimed he could not remember, adding that Lawson was "deceptive in many statements" during the interview.
Lawson was then transported to the Washington County Jail. Bond has been set at $750,000 and he is expected in court on July 5.
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