LUBBOCK, Texas (KCBD) – A murder suspect has been arrested in connection with the death of 60-year-old Arnold Tomlunson.
37-year-old David Thomas is accused of attacking Tomlunson during an argument at a motel near Mac Davis and Avenue Q early Sunday morning.
Just before 2 a.m., the Lubbock Police Department received a check subject call at the motel. Upon arrival, officers found Tomlunson on the ground in front of a motel room. He was taken to UMC where he later died.
A witness told investigators Thomas, also known as “DLock”, shouted to her and called her over to the east side of the location. She said shortly after that, she believed Thomas and “an unknown individual” had some form of interaction, according to court documents.
She told investigators after the incident Thomas told her to call 911 when she observed “an older white male on the ground with blood on him.”
Investigators obtained and reviewed video footage from the motel. On video, Tumlunson is seen exiting the room followed by two men and a woman. Footage then shows a male wearing a light colored shirt and dark colored pants strike Tumlunson. Tumlunson then falls to the ground.
Footage shows the man appeared to place his hands around the waste area of where Tomlunson was lying. The woman then appeared to pick something up off of the ground immediately next to where Tomlunson was lying before kicking his face.
The second man, wearing a dark colored shirt and light colored shorts, is seen on video swinging “an unknown long, thin, reflective object” striking Tomlunson. Thomas is seen returning to where Tomlunson was lying and appeared to pick him up and move him.
After reviewing video footage and descriptions given by witnesses, Thomas was later identified as the person who struck Tumlunson and was named a person of interest in the investigation.
Thomas was booked into the Lubbock County Detention Center Monday morning on a murder charge. He’s being held on a $500,000 bond.
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