Police identify suspect in murder of 80-year-old man in Lexington

Police identify suspect in murder of 80-year-old man in Lexington
Published: Sep. 19, 2023 at 8:23 PM EDT|Updated: Sep. 19, 2023 at 8:28 PM EDT
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LEXINGTON, Ky. (WKYT) - Lexington police are investigating the city’s latest homicide.

Officers were called to a home in the 600 block of Marshall Lane around 7:40 Tuesday evening for a report of a shooting victim. They say the armed suspect refused to leave the home. Multiple units were on the scene when our WKYT crew arrived around 8 p.m.

According to the Fayette County Coroner, 80-year-old Arliss Stewart was shot and killed by a suspect, who then barricaded himself inside the home.

Police say officers eventually made entry into the home and arrested 59-year-old James Bradburn on a murder charge. He was taken to the Fayette County Detention Center.

Bradburn’s arrest citation says he approached Stewart with a gun and shot a hole in the floor of the home, a struggle ensued, and Stewart was shot, causing his death.

WKYT spoke with a woman who lives in the area about this situation. She asked to remain anonymous.

“All I saw was a bunch of people, you know, running when they saw those lights, police vans and stuff,” she said. The woman went on to say that things like this don’t typically happen in her neighborhood. She was shocked when she heard what took place. “He shot his, I don’t know if it was his daddy or step daddy or what, but he shot him, and he barricaded himself in the house and wouldn’t come out.”

Bradburn’s arrest citation says Stewart was Bradburn’s stepfather. Public records show that they were both living at the home on Marshall Lane where this shooting took place.

Police say detectives from the Personal Crime Section are continuing to investigate this case. Bradburn is scheduled to appear in court on Wednesday.

Anyone with information about this case is asked to call Lexington Police at (859) 258-3600. Anonymous tips can be submitted to Bluegrass Crime Stoppers by calling (859) 253-2020, online at www.bluegrasscrimestoppers.com, or through the P3 tips app available at www.p3tips.com.

James Bradburn, 59.
James Bradburn, 59.(Fayette Co. Detention Center)