Assault Victim Dies: Battery Arrest May Escalate To Homicide Charges

CONTRA COSTA COUNTY, CA -- A 69-year-old man was hospitalized and later died after attacks this weekend in unincorporated Rodeo, and his alleged attacker is now suspected of homicide, Contra Costa County sheriff's officials said.

Sheriff's deputies were notified around 7:15 p.m. Saturday that a seriously injured patient at John Muir Medical Center in Walnut Creek had been the victim of battery.

Sheriff's officials said the man was attacked earlier in the day as well as the prior day.

Michael Endicott, 56, of Hercules, was identified as a suspect in the attacks and was arrested on suspicion of battery, according to the sheriff's office.

The victim, identified as Rodeo resident Ronald Kemp, then died on Sunday. Endicott now could face charges in connection with Kemp's death, sheriff's officials said.

As of this morning, Endicott has not been formally charged, according to the Contra Costa County District Attorney's Office.

He is being held in Martinez Detention Facility without bail.

Anyone with additional information on the case is asked to call sheriff's investigators at (925) 313-2600.

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