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.

Lawrence police have identified the man who was killed Wednesday in a stabbing incident at a grocery store.

The victim was Daniel Evan Brooks, 66, of Lawrence. He was pronounced dead at the scene after he was stabbed in the parking lot of the Dillons grocery store at 1015 W. 23rd St. His dog, Bear, was also stabbed in the incident, but is expected to recover, the Journal-World reported.

Robert E. Davis, 54, of Lawrence, was formally charged in court on Thursday with first-degree murder and cruelty to animals.

The murder charge is an off-grid felony and could result in a sentence of life in prison. The cruelty to animals charge is a low-level felony that could result in a year in prison.

photo by: Douglas County Sheriff’s Office

Robert Earl Davis

As the Journal-World previously reported, Patrick Compton, spokesman for the Lawrence Police Department, said in a news release that officers responded to the reported stabbing at the store around 8:20 a.m.

At the scene, the victim, later identified as Brooks, was pronounced dead. Officers also found Davis holding a knife, which they convinced him to drop, Compton said.

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.

Additionally, Davis was convicted of aggravated battery in 2017. According to Douglas County court records, he was sentenced to 21 months of confinement and was released from supervision in March 2019.

Judge James T. George set a $750,000 cash or surety bond. Deputy District Attorney Joshua Seiden said the bond was appropriate because of Davis’ criminal history, calling him a significant risk to community safety.