A military veteran from Houston has tragically passed away following a brutal attack in northwest Harris County.
The victim, identified by family as 80-year-old Earl Hollins, was allegedly beaten outside Food Town on FM 1960 on Friday.
Initially, investigators believed the incident was a robbery that went wrong. However, it was later determined that the attack stemmed from a disagreement over a parking space between Hollins and the suspect, Anthony Boyce.
Hollins suffered severe head injuries, fell into a coma, and was not expected to survive. His family confirmed to ABC13 that he was removed from life support on Saturday night and passed away.
“What he (did), it wasn’t right…it wasn’t human,” said Elma Hollins-Washington, Hollins’ niece.
Initially thought to be strangers, it was later revealed that Hollins and Boyce had been acquainted prior to the incident.
“Someone was saying that he knew the guy because they always used to be around Food Town,” Hollins-Washington said.
According to investigators, the altercation between Boyce and Hollins began over a parking spot. Boyce allegedly attacked Hollins before fleeing in his truck.
“I said, ‘My god, over a parking spot. You’re going to injure my uncle, and now, finally, he’s dead, and it was over a parking spot,’” Hollins-Washington recalled.
The family remains in disbelief over the tragic event.
“You took something great from us, something that we will never get over,” Hollins-Washington said.
Hollins, affectionately called “Uncle Earl” by his niece, was a father, grandfather, and military veteran. Hollins-Washington described him as a straightforward and interesting man, someone who could captivate a room with his stories.
“He was one of a kind. I mean, to know him, you have to love him. He was an easygoing person, and he was friendly,” she said.
Despite leading a life full of love, Hollins’ life was taken by an act of violence fueled by hate.
“During the holiday time too. It’s hard…it’s really hard,” Hollins-Washington added.
Boyce appeared in court on Saturday. He is currently facing a charge of aggravated assault with serious bodily injury, though those charges may be upgraded.
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