A beloved man, the leader of a North Miami-Dade church, was stabbed to death on church property, leaving behind a devastated wife, son, and three daughters.
41-year-old Antwane Lenoir, affectionately known as "Pastor A.D.," was found dead in his holy home.
Officers from Miami-Dade Police's Northside District answered a call about a stabbing at Westview Baptist Church on Saturday, 13301 NW 24th St., around 5:30 p.m.
A manhunt ensued shortly after for 44-year-old James Dawkins.
Dawkins had been living at the church, according to the Miami Herald. However, when the pastor requested a locksmith to change the locks, an angry Dawkins proceeded to argue with Lenoir.
Police claim that even though Lenoir was "in his full armed security guard uniform," Dawkins was the first to pull out a weapon, stabbing Lenoir "multiple times" before running.
Law enforcement were able to track him down around 2 p.m. Sunday and arrest him shortly thereafter.
Dawkins was appointed a public defender at Monday's first court hearing, where he entered a plea of not guilty to a first-degree murder charge.
He is currently being held without bond at the Miami-Dade Corrections' Turner Guilford Knight Correctional Center until trial.
The pastor received an outpour of love and sentiment from the mayor, friends, and community members.
"The City of Opa-locka grieves the loss of a noble man and friend. We were blessed to have this great man as a part of our community, serving in many capacities to ensure that our residents had a voice.
As a unified body, we pray that God strengthens his family, friends, and ministry through these trying times. The legacy that Pastor A.D. Lenoir leaves behind will live on.
""Thank you for your service. You will be missed." Mayor John H. Taylor II expressed this in a Facebook post.
Marie-Joe Aurelus Bien-Aime wrote, "I am heartbroken by this terrible tragedy. I have worked with Doctor/Pastor Lenoir for several years at Madie Ives K-8. He will be greatly missed."
