A Texas man was fatally stabbed while sitting on a park bench in an attack police have described as random and carried out by a career criminal.
Andrew James Wimsatt, 62, was found dead Monday at Chandler Creek Park in Round Rock. Benedict Ogbodiegwu has been charged with murder in connection with his death.
Authorities later learned that, before he was killed, Wimsatt had been walking in the park with his mother, who has Alzheimer’s disease.
According to an arrest affidavit reviewed by the Austin American-Statesman, surveillance video captured Ogbodiegwu, 26, attacking Wimsatt in the park.
The footage allegedly showed Wimsatt seated on a bench around 11am when Ogbodiegwu walked up to him and began striking at him with a knife.
Investigators said Ogbodiegwu appeared to wrap his left arm around Wimsatt, prompting the 62-year-old to try to push him away.
The affidavit states that Ogbodiegwu then stabbed Wimsatt repeatedly until he collapsed to the ground, where the attack allegedly continued.
At one point, Ogbodiegwu was seen placing his knee on Wimsatt’s chest and cutting across his neck, according to the document.
Before leaving Chandler Creek Park, Ogbodiegwu allegedly wiped the knife used in the stabbing on Wimsatt’s shirt.
Andrew James Wimsatt, 62, was found dead Monday at Chandler Creek Park in Round Rock
Ogbodiegwu is facing one count of murder in the killing and remains in the Williamson County Jail on $1 million bail
After the fatal stabbing, the Williamson County Sheriff’s Office launched a manhunt for Ogbodiegwu and released images of him taken at a McDonald’s following the attack.
Hours later, he was found at an address in Round Rock. A blade was found at the residence, which authorities said in the affidavit had a red substance on it.
Investigators have said that the attack was random and that the two men did not know each other.
Ogbodiegwu is facing a single charge of murder for the killing and is being held inside Williamson County Jail with his bail set at $1 million.
According to court records seen by Our News Outlet, Ogbodiegwu was arrested in January for theft, but the case was dismissed.
In May he was again arrested after allegedly giving police a fake name, but again, the case was dismissed.
In 2017 he was also facing a felony charge of theft from a person, but the case was dismissed.
Since his passing, friends of Wimsatt have paid tribute to him, including Fox host Greg Gutfeld.
Wimsatt was a civil engineer, a music lover, and a long time supporter of libertarian causes, a friend said
A series of county jail mugshots for Ogbodiegwu are seen here
Before fleeing the scene, Ogbodiegwu allegedly wiped the blade used in the attack on Wimsatt’s shirt
Speaking on Fox’s ‘The Five,’ he said: ‘He was a huge help to us on Red Eye and Gutfeld and he was a big fan of The Five.
‘Probably the most non transactional person ever, he would do anything for you and never ask for anything in return.
‘He would come to our tapings, our live shows. Super smart dude, everybody who knew him loved him.
‘He was murdered on Labor Day by a maniac while he was sitting on a bench after he had taken his mother for a walk because she has Alzheimer’s.
‘He was murdered in cold blood, Rest in peace Andrew, you will be missed.’
In another post to his X, Gutfeld said: ‘He was one of the sweetest most helpful persons I’ve ever met. Supremely gentle.
The Williamson County Sheriff’s Office launched a manhunt for Ogbodiegwu after the killing, releasing images of him captured at a McDonald’s after it, seen here
Officers are seen here at the scene on Monday following the killing of Wimsatt
‘Willing to do just about anything for another person. And he was stabbed to death on a street at 11 am in the morning.
‘For no reason other than a maniac was free to roam the streets. Rest in peace Andrew. We won’t forget you.’
Fellow friend David Burge posted to X saying that Wimsatt was a ‘gentle and generous soul.’
According to Burge, Wimsatt was a civil engineer, a music lover and a long-time supporter of libertarian causes.
In a statement, the Williamson County Sheriff’s Office said: ‘The victim in the September 7th, 2026 homicide investigation in the Chandler Creek Subdivision has been identified as 62-year-old Andrew James Wimsatt of Austin, Texas.
‘We extend our deepest condolences to Mr. Wimsatt’s family and loved ones. The investigation remains active and ongoing, and no further details will be released at this time.’
