Jacksonville Sheriff's Office makes arrest in deadly stabbing of LGBTQ man

The Jacksonville Sheriff's Office held a news conference Friday to discuss an arrest in a murder case.

On July 19, JSO officers responded to 900 Broward Road in reference to a death investigation.

When JSO got to the scene, officers found a body.

Police were able to identify the body as 30-year-old Jessie Sumlar.

Action News Jax interviewed Sumlar's friends on July 20. They told us Sumlar was a member of the LGBTQ community, and feared he may have been targeted.

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JSO believed the victim was killed July 16 or early July 17 by a stabbing.

Officers said Sumlar's vehicle and wallet were stolen.

Sumlar's vehicle was found burned at Kings Street and McCoy's Creek.

On July 24, JSO released pictures of a person of interest, and it received multiple tips from the public.

JSO was able to identify the person of interest as 26-year-old Omar Lewis.

Officers recovered additional items from Sumlar's apartment. The items were sent out for DNA processing.

JSO said there was a DNA hit matching Lewis.

On Aug. 1, an arrest warrant was issued for Lewis. The warrant was on suspicion of car theft, a credit card theft and fraudulent use of a stolen credit card. Lewis was arrested and booked.

On Aug. 2, officers recovered more evidence in the case, and Lewis was charged with murder.

JSO said this is still an active investigation.

Cox Media Group