A driver in the area called 911 after seeing someone lying on a corner at the intersection of 48th and O just after 1 a.m., Officer Luke Bonkiewicz said.

Officers arrived to find 52-year-old Scott Siemer unconscious with stab wounds to his neck, chest and hands, Bonkiewicz said. Lincoln Fire and Rescue transported Siemer to a local hospital, where he was in critical-but-stable condition Wednesday evening, according to LPD. 

Lawson C. Ballard, 26, was arrested on suspicion of stabbing Siemer. Ballard was found in an apartment in the 300 block of South 48th Street by on-scene officers who followed a blood trail. Ballard was covered in blood but uninjured, according to officers.

Police believe he hired Siemer to be a private investigator, Bonkiewicz said.

Between 11:20 p.m. Tuesday into early Wednesday, Siemer demanded more and more money from Ballard, he said. 

While the two were on the steps of Ballard's apartment building, Ballard believed he was being scammed and stabbed Siemer multiple times. Following a struggle over the knife, Ballard pushed him down, police reported.

Ballard claims he acted in self-defense, Bonkiewicz said.

He was taken to jail on suspicion of first-degree assault and use of a weapon to commit a felony.

Police are not looking for any other suspects.

Today's jail mugshots