Murder in Leonardville

According to a story in the Manhattan Mercury this morning, Thomas James, Clay Center, 48, was stabbed to death in a Leonardville apartment and 49-year-old Howard Barrett, Clay Center, has been arrested and faces second-degree murder charges.
Riley County police said James had been called to the Swingle House apartments at 111 S. Erpelding in his capacity as an exterminator when he was killed by Barrett. Investigators said Barrett and James did not know each other. They said Barrett appears to have a history of mental illness, but seemed to understand that the victim was working rather than intruding in the apartment. They speculated the suspect may have acted out of an irrational fear he would be sprayed with insecticide.
Riley County Police Captain Tim Hegarty said the suspect called police himself after the incident occurred.