Lawrence Jagiela, 64, of Hammond, was charged after his roommate was stabbed at a home in the 6100 block of California Avenue in Hammond on November 11. Police were called around 8:52 p.m. by the roommate, who reported that Jagiela had stabbed him.

When officers arrived, they saw Jagiela near a window by the front door. As officers opened the door, a German shepherd ran outside. The affidavit says Jagiela came out to secure the dog in a bedroom, then returned to speak with officers on the front porch.

Asked what happened, Jagiela said the two men had become aggressive and that he stabbed his roommate with a knife. He told officers he was protecting himself and said the roommate had pushed him and threatened him.

Meanwhile, an officer found the roommate on the kitchen floor holding his abdomen. The roommate told police they had argued and that Jagiela stabbed him unexpectedly. He was assessed by emergency personnel and taken to a hospital. Because of the extent of his injuries, he was later transferred to a hospital in Chicago. In a later interview, the roommate told investigators the knife punctured his liver.

Jagiela told officers he thought the knife was in his bedroom and described it as a red, white and blue folding knife. After officers left the residence, a search warrant was obtained. Investigators reported finding the knife on the bed in Jagiela’s bedroom.

The affidavit describes Jagiela’s later account of the confrontation. He said the two had argued about household responsibilities and that he told his roommate to move out. Jagiela said his roommate pushed him into a wall and appeared ready to attack again, and that he stabbed him in self-defense. Jagiela initially said the knife was already on his person. When asked for more details, he also described falling, getting up, grabbing the knife and stabbing his roommate.

Jagiela’s roommate told investigators the argument began while he was cooking dinner and that the dispute involved dishes. He said Jagiela came out of his room and stabbed him when he turned around. The roommate also told investigators they had experienced earlier conflicts.

Lodged in the Lake County Jail.

Charges filed November 13, 2026:

Domestic battery by means of a deadly weapon — Level 5 felony

Domestic battery resulting in serious bodily injury — Level 5 felony