Published October 27, 2005
Neighbors on Shoshone Drive in Meadowlake Village raised
questions Monday when a Harris County Sheriff's Office Crime Scene Unit deployed at an elderly man's house.
Sgt. Bruce
Williams with the HCSO homicide division said Manuel Barba, 74, was assaulted during a home invasion Monday. Barba's grandson
discovered him unconscious when he came home and rushed him to San Jacinto Methodist Hospital. Barba was later taken to Memorial
Hermann Hospital where he is listed in stable condition. Prior medical problems and severe trauma to the face caused concern
at San Jacinto Methodist and that is why he was taken to Hermann Hospital. He is stable, but not yet able to talk to investigators.
"The
grandson found him severely beaten," Williams said. "They were really concerned because of his age."
Williams said
Barba had cuts to his face from severe strikes with fists or a blunt object. He also had a broken nose and a bone under his
eye.
Investigators have no suspects and no information as to why this happened. They have not been able to interview
Barba yet because he has not been able to talk. They are not even certain if anything was taken from the house. Williams said
the front door was forced open and some things in the house were turned over.
"All we know is that he was assaulted
by someone who made forced entry into his residence," Williams said. "We don't know if anything was taken from the house at
this time."
