A 19-year-old teenager from Arkansas is facing charges after allegedly stabbing a man to death in a violent altercation, then fleeing the scene in a stolen car. The incident occurred in April and has left many questioning the events leading to the death of 34-year-old Michael James O’Malley.
The Tragic Incident
Anthony Lee Tabor, aged 19, has been charged with second-degree murder and theft after a deadly encounter on the morning of April 6. The victim, O’Malley, was found dead on the side of a road in Van Buren with a stab wound to his chest.
Police were called to conduct a welfare check on the man, and upon their arrival, they confirmed that O’Malley had already passed away.
Investigations Unveil Alarming Details
Further investigations by the Van Buren Police Department revealed that Tabor and O’Malley had been involved in a physical altercation earlier that day.
Witnesses reported seeing the two men fighting during the early hours of April 6. One witness mentioned that Tabor struck O’Malley, causing the victim to fall backward after making a high-pitched scream.
Tabor, after allegedly striking O’Malley, then returned to his vehicle, which was reported to be stolen from Little Rock, located around 150 miles southeast of Van Buren.
He reportedly shouted, “I’m a real deal killa!” before fleeing the scene. A 911 call made by a witness also captured someone in the background exclaiming, “He just stabbed that dude.”
Eyewitness Accounts
Robert Snider, a witness who spoke to local news station KSFM, shared his observations of the fight. Snider described the altercation as violent, stating that one man was slamming the other’s head into the curb.
Snider tried to intervene and called 911 at around 2:47 a.m., but authorities could not locate the scene at that time. O’Malley’s body was later discovered around 11:20 a.m. on April 6.
Key Evidence and Charges
The investigation revealed that Tabor had driven a stolen car to and from the scene of the crime. The car was eventually found at the apartment complex where Tabor lives.
Additionally, a knife was found near his apartment. These pieces of evidence, combined with the eyewitness testimony, led to Tabor being charged with second-degree murder.
Tabor was already in custody for the theft of the vehicle when he was charged with O’Malley’s murder. He is currently being held at the Crawford County Detention Center on a $255,000 bond. Tabor is scheduled to appear in court on Tuesday.
This tragic case has shocked the local community, with many grappling to understand the circumstances surrounding O’Malley’s death.
As the case continues to unfold, Tabor faces serious charges that could result in significant legal consequences. The investigation is ongoing, and more details may emerge as the legal process progresses.
