HARRIS COUNTY, Texas — An elderly man left in critical condition after a Friday altercation at a north Harris County grocery store has passed away, according to prosecutors.
The incident occurred in the parking lot of a store located off FM 1960, just west of I-45.
Sheriff Ed Gonzalez initially described the incident as a robbery attempt, but court documents later revealed it stemmed from a dispute over a parking space. The documents state that 80-year-old Earl Hollins was backing into a spot as 57-year-old Anthony Ray Boyce was trying to park. An argument ensued, during which Boyce struck Hollins in the head.
During a Monday court appearance, Prosecutor Michael Simons stated that surveillance footage captured Boyce punching Hollins once in the head. Hollins fell, hitting his head on the concrete. He sustained a severe head injury and was rushed to the hospital, where prosecutors confirmed his death.
Hollins, a disabled veteran and father of six, was remembered by his family as a healthy, good-humored man who loved cooking and making people laugh. “He was the only parent we had left,” his son shared. Grocery store employees also knew Hollins as a kind and friendly regular.
A witness at the scene reported delays in emergency response and drove to a nearby volunteer fire department for assistance. According to their report, emergency services were notified around 1:30 p.m. about the assault. The department requested dispatch to expedite law enforcement, noting the call had been held for over an hour without an estimated time of arrival.
Boyce was arrested on Friday and charged with aggravated assault causing serious bodily injury. Prosecutors indicated the charges would likely be upgraded pending the outcome of the Harris County Sheriff’s Office investigation. Boyce’s bond, initially set at $100,000, was raised to $200,000.
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