A homeless man was arrested Monday and charged with second-degree murder in the stabbing death of another homeless Ames man.

Glenn Allen Smith, 45, was charged in the early-morning death of Daniel McGonigle, police said.

A homeless man reported a male in need of medical assistance to the police at 12:41 a.m. Monday. McGonigle, 45, was found in the wooded area south of the Iowa Department of Transportation buildings on

South Maple Avenue. Ames Police Cmdr. Jim Robinson said the area is commonly used as camp for homeless men.

McGonigle, suffering from multiple stab wounds, was first transported to the Mary Greeley Medical Center and then was flown to Methodist Hospital in Des Moines, where he was pronounced dead at 2:51 a.m.

Larry Fowler, 42, another homeless man, reported the stabbing and gave police a physical description of the suspect, Robinson said.

At 9:35 a.m., a Story County deputy identified a man matching the suspect’s physical description walking in the area of Interstate 35 and East 13th Street.

“We were fortunate to have a physical description and were able to make progress with the case quickly,” Robinson said.

Smith was carrying a backpack and sleeping bag and appeared to be attempting to hitchhike out of town, Robinson said.

Smith was taken to the Ames Police Department, where he admitted to stabbing McGonigle in an interview. He is currently being held in the Story County Jail.

Robinson said the stabbing occurred during an altercation between McGonigle and Smith, but police are still investigating.

Robinson declined to comment on the nature or number of McGonigle’s stab wounds, and police continue to search for the weapon.

Fowler was placed in police custody as a material witness. A material witness warrant can be issued by a judge if a person has facts relating to a case and if police do not expect to be able to locate him or her in the event of a subpoena.

The homicide investigation is ongoing, and Robinson asked that anyone with information relating to the incident or the victim’s activities Saturday and Sunday please call (515) 239-5312.