A Nashville woman who was a beloved school crossing guard has died after she was stabbed repeatedly by her grandson, who is now charged with homicide, WTVF-TV reports.
Gwendolyn Lavender, 68, was stabbed multiple times Thursday night in her East Nashville home. She died at the scene.
Authorities received a call from her grandson, 24-year-old Xavier Lavender, who alleged that the stabbing occurred in the midst of a home invasion at the residence, which he shared with his grandmother.
Emergency crews brought Xavier to the hospital for alleged head injuries he claimed were inflicted by an unknown intruder, WSMV-TV reports. After talking with police, investigators identified various holes in Xavier’s account of what happened.
Authorities say Xavier eventually confessed to the killing. He said he and his grandmother were in an intense argument and that he “snapped.” He said he even continued to stab the woman even as she called for help.
Prosecutors have charged Xavier with criminal homicide.
Gwendolyn Lavender worked as a crossing guard at a Nashville elementary school. The Metro Nashville Police Department’s School Crossing Guard Facebook page posted the following statement on Friday:
“It’s with a heavy heart to inform you that Mrs. Gwendolyn Lavender our Crossing Guard at Kipp Kirkpatrick passed away last night. She loved her little ones that she protected crossing the street. They brought her joy each and every day. Mrs. Lavender has been with us for only a year but she loved her job and hardly ever miss a day. Mrs. Lavender was a loving Christian lady who was so kind to everyone. She will be sadly missed. Our prayers go out to her family.”
Xavier Lavender remains in jail in lieu of an $800,000 bond.
[Feature Photo: Gwendolyn Lavender/Metro Nashville Police Department]
