Police have arrested two suspects in a fatal stabbing that occurred Wednesday night outside an Ottawa residence.

Lt. Adam Weingartner, of the Ottawa Police Department, at noon Thursday said authorities had arrested two Ottawa men, ages 44 and 23, on first-degree murder charges.

They are suspects in the death of Paul Duane Nicholson, 24, of Ottawa, who officers found stabbed to death in the 200 block of South Locust Street.

Nicholson had collapsed in a neighbor’s yard while going for help, according to police.

Officers were nearby when the call was dispatched at 9 p.m. Wednesday. Responding officers and Franklin County Emergency Medical Services personnel attempted to revive Nicholson.

Authorities found several witnesses in the area and interviewed them at police headquarters.

Police did not release further information about the incident Thursday. Weingartner said the investigation continues.

The Franklin County Sheriff’s Office and the Kansas Bureau of Investigation are assisting the Ottawa Police Department with the investigation. It is the city’s first homicide of the year.

The two suspects are being held in the Franklin County Adult Detention Center.

Franklin County Attorney Heather Jones said her office was reviewing the investigation and likely wouldn’t file formal charges Thursday against the two suspects. She said a judge will likely set bond for the two men sometime within 48 hours of their arrests.

The Journal-World generally does not name suspects until they are officially charged.