photo by: Dylan Lysen/Lawrence Journal-World

Lawrence police investigate a reported homicide in the parking lot of Dillons grocery store, 1015 W. 23rd St., on Wednesday, Aug. 18, 2021.

Updated at 3:53 p.m. Wednesday

Police arrested a Lawrence man on suspicion of murder after a reported fatal stabbing outside of a Dillons grocery store Wednesday morning.

Robert Earl Davis, 54, of Lawrence, was arrested at the scene around 8:30 a.m. on suspicion of second-degree murder and cruelty to animals, according to the Douglas County Jail booking log. Davis’ listed address is the Lawrence Community Shelter.

Patrick Compton, spokesman for the Lawrence Police Department, said in a news release that officers responded to the reported stabbing at the store at 1015 W. 23rd St. around 8:20 a.m.

At the scene, a man injured in the incident was pronounced dead. Officers also found Davis holding a knife, which they convinced him to drop, Compton said.

The dead man’s dog was also injured in the incident. The department’s animal control officers took the dog to the Lawrence Humane Society, where he was stabilized. The dog was then taken to a local animal hospital. Compton said the dog is expected to survive.

LPD has not identified the man who died. Compton said the incident was still under investigation and anyone who witnessed it is encouraged to call LPD’s nonemergency number, 785-832-7509.

photo by: Douglas County Sheriff’s Office

Robert Earl Davis

Davis was previously convicted of multiple violent crimes, all of which occurred in 1983. As the Journal-World reported when Davis came up for parole in 2004, Davis pleaded no contest to aggravated battery, rape and aggravated assault. He was charged in the following incidents: a robbery at knifepoint on Jan. 27, 1983; a rape, sodomy and robbery on Jan. 30, 1983; and an assault on Feb. 7, 1983.

The victims told police their attacker wore a ski mask. Davis, who was 16 at the time, admitted committing the crimes shortly after he was taken into custody.

Davis was discharged from prison in 2012.