WICHITA FALLS ( KFDX/KJTL ) — A 78-year-old Wichita Falls man injured Tuesday morning, October 1, 2024, in a dispute over yard clippings has died.

WFPD Sgt. Charlie Eipper said William Palmer died early Wednesday morning, Oct. 2, in the hospital, and an autopsy has been ordered.

Police said Palmer suffered a serious head injury after being pushed during a confrontation
with a man doing yard work next door to Palmer’s home on Earl Street around 10:30 am Tuesday.

Connor Duncan, 26, of Iowa Park, is jailed on a $250,000 bond for injury to an elderly person.

Police are consulting with the district attorney’s office on whether that initial charge will be changed, but that may not happen until after autopsy results are available.

Police said they found Palmer in the street in the 4800 block of Earl Street with a wound on the back of his head. Police said he was rushed to the hospital and was not responsive, and emergency surgery could not be performed immediately because of extensive swelling and bleeding.

According to a witness next door to the victim, Duncan was mowing the witness’ yard when he heard the leaf blower turn off and saw Duncan leaving in his truck. Palmer then went up and knocked on the truck’s window. The witness said Duncan got out of his truck and pushed Palmer, who fell backward and hit his head on the street.

After Palmer fell, the witness said Duncan left in his truck. The witness gave police Duncan’s phone number, and they called Duncan and told him to return to the scene.

Duncan agreed to talk to them and said Palmer got upset because grass clippings were blown onto his driveway. He said he blew the clippings off the driveway and began to drive away, but Palmer began hitting his truck window. He said he got out, and Palmer got in his face, so Duncan pushed him, and Palmer fell onto the street and then Duncan left.

This is a developing story. Stick with Texoma’s Homepage for updates as more information becomes available. All individuals charged with a crime are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

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