Durham police are investigating after finding a man dead from a stabbing Monday along the American Tobacco Trail.
Police responded around 4:13 p.m. to a report of a person stabbed behind the building near Fayetteville Street and Pilot Street.
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On Wednesday, the man was identified as Chesleigh Lyons. The 51-year-old Lyons was declared dead at the scene.
One trailgoer, who asked to remain anonymous, said they were riding their bike on the trail when they stumbled across the investigation.
"I stopped, and I saw a cop, and I asked him if everybody was all right. He just immediately, with a very serious face, said no," the trailgoer said. "He did not really elaborate much more, so I just waited. And then one of his coworkers told me to just head on out."
Investigators are trying to determine the circumstances around what happened. The trailgoer told WRAL News they plan to stay away from the trail until after someone is in custody.
"It makes me feel a little uncomfortable, but I probably will just not go as far," the person said.
Durham police said the stabbing doesn't appear to be random or targeted toward people using the trail.
On Tuesday, Constance Williams told WRAL he knew Lyons.
"He was a sweet guy," Williams said.
Some said they felt that stretch of the trail was not safe.
"This community out here is certainly in need of resources and help that I think our city can step up and provide for them," said Rachel Cordero.
Durham Mayor Leonardo Williams said he's aware of the concerns.
"Some of the things we’ve heard complaints about are fires, open fires, trash, and the need for lighting in some other parts of the trail as well," Williams said.
Williams added that he's waiting on staff recommendations for interventions so the area can be safer for those who use the trail and those who live around it. He plans to be in the area where the stabbing occurred on Saturday to hear from those in the neighborhood.
Anyone with information on the case is asked to call police at 919-560-4440 at extension 29544. People can also call CrimeStoppers at 919-683-1200 or submit a tip online. Investigators are asking anyone who traveled on the ATT between 3 p.m. and 4 p.m. on Monday to contact them.