Bedford Man Charged with Attempted Murder After Ambush Stabbing; Suspect Found with Knife in Abdomen Following Neighborhood Chase

A 65-year-old Bedford man is facing an attempted murder charge after investigators say he ambushed a man inside a city residence, stabbed him repeatedly, and pursued the heavily bleeding victim down the street until a passing motorist intervened.

William Edmund Melvin II, 65, of Bedford, was taken into custody on felony charges following an investigation by the Bedford Police Department.

The Ambush and Arterial Bleed on 17th Street

At approximately 5:56 p.m. on Sunday, September 27, 2026, Bedford police officers were dispatched to the intersection of 17th and G streets following multiple 911 calls reporting a stabbing.

Upon arrival, Sergeant Nick Crulo and Officer Sarah Haluda discovered an older male victim covered in blood, surrounded by several bystanders attempting to render first aid. Officers noted extensive stab wounds across the victim's body, including lacerations to the upper left side of his back, the right side of his face near his ear, and a severe puncture to his right shoulder near the collarbone that was actively producing heavy arterial bleeding.

Due to the critical nature of his wounds, an emergency medical helicopter was requested. Shawswick EMS transported the victim to IU Health Bedford before he was airlifted to IU Health Methodist Hospital in Indianapolis for emergency trauma surgery.

Good Samaritan Halts Pursuit; Suspect Located with Blade in Abdomen

According to sworn police affidavits, the violent assault originated inside the victim's nearby residence. A passing motorist driving down G Street witnessed Melvin actively pursuing the severely injured, blood-covered victim down the roadway. The driver immediately intervened and stopped his vehicle, which halted the pursuit and caused Melvin to flee northwest. Another passerby was flagged down to assist with emergency care until first responders arrived.

A short time later, Officer Ratcliff spotted Melvin walking through a commercial parking lot near 16th and H streets. As Officer Ratcliff approached with his service weapon drawn and ordered him to show his hands, Melvin dropped to his knees. When Melvin raised his hands, the officer observed a knife blade protruding directly from Melvin's lower abdomen.

Officers secured Melvin in handcuffs, moved the dislodged knife away for safety, and rendered medical aid before transporting him to IU Health Bedford. Melvin was later transferred to IU Health Methodist Hospital for treatment.

Crime Scene Search & Recovered Weapon

Bedford Police detectives secured a search warrant for the residence, authorized by Lawrence County Magistrate Anah Hewetson Gouty. Inside the home, officers documented a large pool of blood on the kitchen floor and seized an empty knife sheath.

Detectives processing the area behind the buildings at 16th and H streets recovered Melvin’s state identification card and the weapon used in the attack: a fixed-blade hunting knife measuring approximately nine inches long with a five-inch blade and a wood-style handle heavily coated in blood.

Conflicting Accounts & Collapsing Alibi

Detectives Major Kye Louden and Captain Dodd conducted recorded hospital interviews with both men:

• The Defendant's Account: Melvin claimed he was visiting the victim to watch the Colts game. Melvin alleged that he went to the bedroom to take prescription medication, accidentally dropped pills on the floor, and asked for help. He claimed the homeowner walked in and stabbed him in the stomach without warning. Melvin asserted he fought the knife away, slashed the victim in self-defense, and was merely trying to "help" him outside.
  • However, when detectives pressed Melvin to explain how the knife could have remained stuck in his own stomach the entire time while he simultaneously disarmed the victim and used it against him, Melvin had no explanation. Furthermore, a physical inspection of Melvin's shirt revealed almost no blood and zero puncture holes, and hospital nursing staff confirmed Melvin had sustained only a single puncture wound.
• The Victim's Account: The victim stated Melvin visited to watch football while the victim went in and out cleaning his vehicle. The victim denied any argument or illicit drug use, noting he had recently finished alcohol-related probation. Melvin asked him to bend down to retrieve a dropped pill bottle from underneath a bed. As the victim bent down, Melvin ambushed him from behind, plunging the knife into his shoulder.
  • The victim retreated into the front room as Melvin advanced aggressively with the weapon. Melvin then abruptly acted calm, telling the victim to sit down so he could "help" him—which the victim recognized as an effort to let him bleed out or finish the attack. The victim punched Melvin in the face, bolted through the door, and ran into the street screaming for his life before the passing driver intervened. The victim confirmed Melvin always carries the hunting knife in his back pocket and provided a voluntary DNA sample to investigators.

Melvin was placed under formal arrest following his medical release and remanded into the custody of the Lawrence County Sheriff's Department.

Preliminary Charges

🔹 Attempted Murder (Level 1 Felony)

🔹 Aggravated Battery (Level 3 Felony)

🔹 Battery with a Deadly Weapon (Level 5 Felony)

Case Number: 260927025Investigating Officers: Det. Maj. Kye Louden, Det. Capt. Dodd, Sgt. Nick Crulo, and Officer Sarah Haluda (Bedford Police Department)

LEGAL NOTICE: The information above is sourced directly from sworn law enforcement probable cause affidavits filed in Lawrence County. All charges listed are preliminary accusations, not final determinations of guilt. Under Indiana law and the U.S. Constitution, every individual is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law.