Conroe Man Indicted In Deadly Shovel Attack

CONROE, TX -- A man accused of beating a Splendora man to death with a shovel handle was indicted Tuesday by a Montgomery County Grand Jury on one count of felony aggravated assault. Thomas Lyn Barringer, 27, was arrested May 6 and charged with the beating death of Andrew Massey.

Barringer and another man broke into the home in 23000 block of Charterwood in Splendora on April 27 and initially threatened the people inside before Barringer allegedly assaulted Massey with a shovel handle as Massey slept, according to reports.

Massey was taken to an area hospital in critical condition and died a week later from his injuries. Barringer, who was on parole, was arrested in a Lake Conroe hotel room two days after Massey died.

Witnesses told investigators the beating may have been in retaliation for an incident where Massey allegedly pulled a knife on Barringer outside a motel, days before the attack, according to a Houston Chronicle report.

Barringer is expected back in court on Aug. 20.

RELATED STORY: Suspect Accused In Shovel Beating Death Is Arrested

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