LEXINGTON, Ky. (LEX 18) — A man died after being assaulted in a parking garage late Monday night and police say it's a homicide investigation.
Coroner’s van is here on Short Street downtown. Street is shut down. Seems like investigation is focused in/around parking garage. @LEX18News pic.twitter.com/9Z98IXq0My
— Mike Valente (@ValenteLEX18) October 26, 2021
The Fayette County Coroner was called to the 300 block of West Short Street in downtown Lexington shortly before 10:00 p.m. Monday night at the Victorian Square parking garage. Police say it was reported as some sort of "unknown disorder."
Police say when an officer got to the scene, the officer observed 39-year-old Benjamin Call assaulting the 31-year-old male victim. The suspect was immediately detained and officers provided first aid to the victim but he later died from his injuries.
The Fayette County Coroner’s Office says 31-year-old John Tyler "Ty" Abner died. His manner of death has been ruled a homicide.
Call's arrest citation says he "caused the death of the person by striking [Abner] repeatedly with hands and feet until they had killed the victim." It also says the homicide was captured on surveillance video.
An autopsy will be performed to determine the cause of death but said Abner died from "blunt trauma injuries."
Call was arrested and charged with murder. He is currently lodged in the Fayette County Detention Center.
Detectives believe the suspect and victim knew each other prior to the assault.
The investigation is still ongoing. Anyone with additional information about this case is asked to contact Lexington Police by calling (859) 258-3600. Anonymous tips can be submitted to Bluegrass Crime Stoppers by calling (859) 253-2020, online, or through the P3 tips app.
