March 6, 2012 - The death of a male following an altercation at 8800 Gulf Freeway (Interstate Highway 45 South) about 6:20 p.m. on Monday (March 5) will be referred to a Harris County grand jury.

The male, 42, was transported to Memorial Hermann Southeast Hospital where he was pronounced dead.  His identity is pending notification to family members by the Harris County Institute of Forensic Sciences.

A second man involved in the altercation, Johnathon Darling, 28, was not seriously injured.

HPD Homicide Division Sergeant B. Williams and Senior Police Officer M. Khan reported:

HPD patrol officers responded to an assault in-progress call at the above address.  A male, driving a black Chevrolet Tahoe, and Mr. Darling, driving a red Ford Explorer, were northbound on the Gulf Freeway service road when the Tahoe struck the rear of the Explorer.  Both men exited their vehicles and the male verbally threatened Darling.  As Darling retreated and asked his wife to call 9-1-1, the male struck him in the back of the head and face.  Darling fell to the ground and the male continued to punch him.  Both men went to the ground and Darling managed to get the male in a headlock.  Fearing he would be assaulted again, Darling held the male in a headlock until HPD officers arrived. 

As officers attempted to separate the two men, they noticed the 42-year-old male was having trouble breathing.  HFD paramedics were called to the scene and transported him to the hospital where he died.



VHS/JFC  3-6-12
Inc. #028339712