Man Allegedly Attacks 92-Year-Old Houston Crossing Guard With Wrench

Original Article By Mark Tanos

A 92-year-old crossing guard said he threw a haymaker at his alleged attacker Tuesday morning outside a Houston elementary school, refusing to back down despite being struck with a wrench.

Curtis Emmett told ABC 13 he had just finished his shift at Burnet Elementary in east Houston when Raul DeHoyos, 34, began pounding on his truck window. The Korean War veteran said he recognized DeHoyos from the neighborhood.

“He started whacking on my window,” Emmett said.

Rather than stay in his vehicle, Emmett stepped out to confront his alleged attacker.

“I threw a haymaker. ‘Hallelujah!’ I knew this. I wasn’t going to let him win just because you’re 34 and I’m 92. I want you to know you got a tiger in your truck,” Emmett said.

Fellow crossing guard Gilbert Reyna witnessed the alleged assault and called 911. DeHoyos wielded a wrench during the incident, according to Reyna.

“The guy was pushing him. At the same time, he was swinging that wrench, hitting him on the arm, trying to get Mr. Curtis to cut him loose,” Reyna said.

The alleged assault left Emmett hospitalized for two days with injuries to his left arm, he told the outlet. Police arrested DeHoyos and charged him with injury to an elderly person. The suspect remains behind bars.

Emmett said he is recovering at home. The veteran plans to return to his crossing guard duties.

This is not the first time a crossing guard has been subject to an alleged attack. In January 2024, police apprehended three female suspects accused of attacking a female security guard following a verbal dispute, Fox 29 reported. Police said the crossing guard was repeatedly stomped and punched, receiving multiple injuries, including to her nose.

Police arrested two adult women in connection with the case while a 15-year-old girl turned herself in to law enforcement, according to the outlet.