BRIGHTON, Colo. — A man faces murder and attempted murder charges after he allegedly attacked a family with a machete at a Brighton home, killing a woman from Ohio.
The Brighton Police Department in Colorado said police were called to a home along the 2400 block of Cherry Circle around 9:50 p.m. Tuesday on a report of a disturbance involving weapons.
When officers arrived, they found several adults who had been injured. One woman was pronounced deceased at the scene. Multiple others were transported to a hospital with serious injuries, police said.
The woman who was killed was identified as 51-year-old Bonnie Skinner of Brighton, Colorado, police said. A records search shows that Bonnie Skinner lived in several Northeast Ohio cities and she has a family member who owns a restaurant in Olmsted Falls.
Her husband, Vincent Skinner, two daughters Paige and Abigayle Skinner, and family friend Daniel Smeal, who also lived in the home, were all injured in the attack.
The suspect fled from the scene as police arrived and was found after a short vehicle pursuit, which was followed by a chase on foot. Officers used a K-9 and once in custody, the suspect was brought to a hospital for a dog bite, police said.
The suspect was later identified as 48-year-old Lonny Lynn McNair, of Brighton, according to Brighton police. Records show that McNair also has ties to Ohio. He previously lived in Mentor, Euclid, Dalton and Orville.
Police spokesman John Bradley said the victims knew the suspect and had "apparently helped him out in the past."
McNair was arrested on murder and attempted murder charges, as well as first-degree burglary and felony eluding charges. He is in custody at the Adams County Detention Facility in Colorado.
On Friday, friends and family of Bonnie Skinner held a candlelight vigil in Colorado.
“Her legacy will live not just through her children, but the rest of us at Melon; she changed us,” a woman said during the vigil.
Many shared memories of Bonnie Skinner, who grew up in the kitchen and loved to cook. The owner of the restaurant says she had a knack for getting the bacon just right, it’s why they nicknamed her, “Bonnie Bacon.”
“Every day she worked, she worked with the most love and dedication,” a woman said during the vigil.
