SOUTH BEND -- Police are investigating a murder that happened in the 2500 block of West Linden Avenue Thursday night. Witnesses say they saw the victim fighting with another man.

The victim, identified as 48-year-old Larry Leonard of Michigan City, was bleeding from the head when police and paramedics arrived. Leonard was able to talk to police before being transported to a local hospital.

Shortly after arriving there, Leonard's condition began to deteriorate and he later died. Autopsy results show Leonard died from multiple blunt force trauma to the torso, which caused internal bleeding.

Friday afternoon, the County Metro Homicide Unit arrested Dewange Dotson of South Bend in connection with Leonard's murder. He is in custody at the St. Joseph County Jail pending formal charges.

Neighbors were stunned when they heard what happened.

"I was really shocked. I couldn't believe it," said neighbor Jamie Banks.

It's the way many neighbors are reacting.

"Huh ... wait a minute!" said neighbor Remona Haskins.

Haskins lives across the street from where the murder happened.

"I thought it was just a fight when the police came. That's all we thought it was. But, we didn't know at all ... oh my gosh," said Haskins.

Haskins and her daughter have been running a daycare out of her home for the past three years.

"It's shocking for it to be so close, right across the street. And we didn't know anything about it. And we have tons of kids here," said neighbor Courtney Austin.

People say for the most part the neighborhood is quiet.

"It's a family neighborhood. There are kids usually on the streets and things like that," said neighbor James Taylor.

But they admit the home where the murder happened has its share of problems.

"Since I've been here they just argue a lot over there," said Haskins.

Witnesses say Leonard and the suspect got into a fight Thursday night. When officers arrived Leonard was bleeding from the head.

Police say this wasn't the first time they'd been called to the home.

"In the last year we've gotten approximately 10 calls to that address. And they've been more towards the domestic dispute sort of situation," said South Bend Police Captain Phil Trent.

As police search for answers, neighbors search for ways to stay safe.

"We always attend to our activities in the back yard anyways. But now we are going to think twice about letting the kids maybe play around in the front yard because it's dangerous," said Austin.

But for James Taylor, moving is the answer.

"Somebody gets murdered, 50, 60 feet from my house. Yeah, I think it's time to go," said Taylor.