Houston, TX – A 33-year-old Navy veteran has admitted to fatally beating a disabled man during a late-night encounter in north Houston, telling investigators that he loses control when he drinks alone. The case, which surfaced in a detailed report and supported by a probable cause affidavit, reveals a violent confrontation that left 38-year-old Rudy Ricky Diaz dead after two weeks in the hospital.
What Led Up to the Fatal Encounter
According to investigators, Hayden Humphreys, the defendant, was walking along the 18000 block of McKay Drive shortly before midnight on July 23, 2022, after leaving a club. Detectives said Humphreys came across Diaz, who was wheelchair-bound and had all 10 of his toes amputated months earlier.
In an account that contradicts witness statements, Humphreys claimed Diaz first asked him for money and then demanded more before “standing up” in what he described as a threatening manner. Humphreys insisted he punched Diaz in self-defence, but multiple witnesses told authorities they saw something very different.
Witnesses Describe a Brutal Assault
Several people who were in the area at the time told police they saw Humphreys on top of Diaz, “throwing haymakers” as the victim lay motionless on the ground. Those who worked nearby also said Diaz was known to be “harmless” and posed no threat.
Paramedics transported Diaz to a hospital, where he remained for roughly two weeks before dying of blunt force trauma, according to the medical examiner.
Video Footage and Erratic Behaviour
Although the assault itself was not captured on camera, detectives reviewed area surveillance that showed Humphreys behaving erratically and appearing intoxicated. He later admitted to investigators that he had been drinking that night, acknowledging he had consumed “a few drinks” before the fatal confrontation…