Assisted Living Resident Accused Of Killing Fellow Resident

An assisted living resident in Hickory is accused of beating his neighbor so badly that he died at the Walden House Assisted Living Center shortly before midnight Thursday.

Roland Simmons, 70, was killed. The suspect, Dennis Scherzer, 43, appeared before a magistrate and was charged with murder.

Investigators said Scherzer attacked Simmons, also a resident of the center, on the back patio of Walden House.

Calls to Catawba County’s 911 center show workers were frantic after the attack.

“Yes, I need, I need an ambulance down here at the Walden House. One of the residents beat one of the residents in the head. I need one right now. ASAP," a worker said.

Moments later, a 911 caller said, ”The resident took off running. Is he out there? No, he's running. He's running."

Authorities said they arrested Scherzer a short distance from the center. Police have also recovered the weapon they say was used to beat Simmons, but so far they have not speculated on a motive.

Employees said they heard an altercation just before midnight and told police that they saw part of the attack. There was no history of problems between the two men.

Scherzer is being held without bond at the Catawba County Detention Center. He is scheduled to appear before a judge Friday morning in Newton.

Walden House was fined $4,000 in 2007 after two residents crossed a four-lane highway. The center has contacted the state about Wednesday night’s incident.