69-Year-Old Man Allegedly Kills Neighbor With a Sword, Then Tells Police: ‘I Killed That Guy’

A 69-year-old Idaho man is facing a second-degree murder charge after allegedly stabbing his neighbor to death with a sword in an apartment complex in Pocatello. Ronald Cantrell reportedly made a startling admission to police when officers arrived at the scene, telling them, “I killed that guy.” The victim was identified as Wayne Weberpal, whose body was discovered inside a car with a sword protruding from his upper torso.

Police responded to a reported stabbing at an apartment building on North Main Street at approximately 2:10 p.m. on Thursday, November 5, 2026. When officers arrived, they found Cantrell standing beside a silver passenger vehicle with his hands raised. He told officers he had a knife and was placed in handcuffs. As an officer escorted him toward a patrol car, Cantrell allegedly made the chilling statement admitting that he had killed someone.

Officers then returned to the vehicle and discovered Weberpal lying in the back seat. A bladed weapon was protruding from the left side of his upper body, just below the armpit. Emergency responders arrived, but Weberpal was pronounced dead. According to the arrest affidavit, Cantrell continued making statements about the killing and reportedly admitted, “I stabbed him.” He also referred to his neighbor as a dangerous or unstable person and made repeated claims involving a firearm equipped with a silencer.

Investigators later learned that Cantrell believed Weberpal was planning to ambush him. During questioning, he reportedly told detectives that he had a “deep distrust” of his neighbor and repeatedly described his belief that Weberpal had been waiting to attack him. Cantrell also claimed that he had taken out a gun and cut it. However, officers discovered a long gun nearby with what appeared to be a suppressor attached. The firearm had a trigger lock secured around its trigger guard, preventing it from being fired. This discovery raised questions about Cantrell’s account of acting in self-defense.

The arrest report also described unusual behavior during questioning. Cantrell reportedly struggled to answer basic questions, including identifying the day of the week, and would not clearly state whether he understood his Miranda rights. Authorities have not publicly established why the confrontation between the neighbors escalated into a fatal encounter. The investigation remains ongoing as detectives continue examining the circumstances surrounding Weberpal’s death.

Cantrell was booked into the Bannock County Jail and is being held on $500,000 bond. He has been formally charged with second-degree murder and is scheduled to appear in court for a preliminary hearing on November 18, 2026. If convicted, he could face a prison sentence ranging from 10 years to life. Although his alleged statements and the evidence found at the scene form a significant part of the case, Cantrell is presumed innocent unless proven guilty in court.