The assaults happened minutes apart along State Highway 249, leaving one victim reportedly brain-dead and another critically injured.
HARRIS COUNTY, Texas — A 28-year-old man has been charged with attacking two men with a metal pipe during separate assaults Friday morning in northwest Harris County, according to court records.
Joshua McDaniel faces two counts of aggravated assault in connection with the attacks, which occurred about a mile apart along State Highway 249. Both victims were hospitalized with life-threatening injuries.
Court records say the first attack happened outside a Dunkin’ restaurant near State Highway 249 and West Road. Authorities believe the victim was homeless. He remained in critical condition after being taken to a hospital.
Harris County sheriff’s detectives were called a short time later to a second attack nearby. A driver reported seeing a man strike another person with a metal pipe measuring about 2 feet long, according to the records.
The second victim, who investigators also believe was homeless, was taken to a hospital and was described in court documents as brain-dead. Authorities had not publicly released either victim’s name as of Monday.
Investigators later found McDaniel riding a bicycle in the area, the records say. McDaniel allegedly acknowledged fighting with one of the victims outside the restaurant, though the documents do not establish a verified motive for either attack.
The assaults occurred back-to-back, but authorities have not said whether the two victims knew each other or had any connection to McDaniel. Investigators also have not disclosed what led them to believe the same person carried out both attacks.
McDaniel was being held in the Harris County Jail. The charges are allegations, and the case will proceed through the Harris County court system.
Author note: Last updated July 20, 2026.