Police arrest man accused of stabbing, killing half-brother during home invasion

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Newnan Police say a man broke into a house in the middle of the night, went on a rampage, then stabbed his half-brother multiple times. The victim, identified as Sheldon Stewart, did not survive.

This played out Thursday around 3:30 a.m. at a house on Linden Drive.

Officers say Zachary Martin broke into the house through a basement window.

"After he entered, he got zip-ties and two knives and approached another victim that was downstairs sleeping," says Det. Brandon Kline with Newnan Police. "He zip-tied that victim's hands behind his back, (then) went upstairs and he encountered another female victim."

Investigators say Martin used a knife to force that woman downstairs.

The man, who was tied up, freed himself and ran to a bathroom. That's when investigators say Martin tried to stab him.

Unable to get into the bathroom, investigators said Martin went upstairs and attacked a couple sleeping in a bedroom. He's accused of stabbing the victim, Sheldon Stewart, in the back at least two times. Investigators say he also choked Stewart's girlfriend while holding a knife to her throat. Family members freed the woman.

"When officers arrived on scene, Martin was holding two knives in his hand in the bedroom where the stabbing had taken place," says Det. Kline. "He was arrested without incident."

Newnan Police tell FOX 5 Stewart and Martin are half-brothers. They also say Stewart's girlfriend and Martin were in a relationship at some point.

Stewart was taken to Newnan Piedmont Hospital, where he died.

Martin is being held in the Coweta County Jail. He faces several charges including murder, kidnapping, and home invasion.