Soldier Arrested In Stabbing Death

Tue., Feb. 20, 1996

From Staff And Wire Reports

A Fort Lewis soldier was arrested and another man was being sought Monday in the stabbing death of a 20-year-old Lakewood man.

Witnesses told Pierce County sheriff’s investigators the victim was stabbed early Monday morning during an altercation that took place between two Lakewood apartment complexes. The victim fled about 150 feet before collapsing in front of an apartment.

He was identified by the medical examiner’s office as Kalon Demetrius.

Sheriff’s deputies arrested 22-year-old Solomon Eugene Barela Jr., a soldier stationed in a tank unit at Fort Lewis. Barela is originally from Fresno, Calif., sheriff’s Lt. Jim Jenkins said.

Barela was booked into the county jail for investigation of first-degree murder.

A second suspect was still at large.

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