FLINT, MI – A suspect faces multiple felony charges after he allegedly assaulted a 91-year-old man staying in the same hospital room at Hurley Medical Center in Flint.

The 91-year-old man, identified as Henry Henderson, later died, but it’s not yet clear if he died from the assault or another medical condition.

The alleged incident took place April 9 at Hurley Medical Center when a 25-year-old man staying in the same room as Henderson hit him with an IV pole and stabbed him in the eye with an IV catheter.

Genesee County Sheriff Chris Swanson said the victim and suspect, who has not yet been arraigned, were both admitted the previous day.

Henderson was sedated the entire time leading up to the assault and there’d been no conversation between the two men.

Genesee County Prosecutor David Leyton has charged the suspect with single counts of assault with intent to murder, punishable by up to life in prison and attempted mayhem, a 5-year felony.

There is not a murder charge at this time.

“It’s very possible (Henderson’s) demise came from something unrelated to the assault,” said Leyton.

He has asked Brian Hunter, Genesee County medical examiner and forensic pathologist, to perform an examination of Henderson’s brain to determine if the assault led to his death.

If the assault is determined to have played a factor in Henderson’s death, the suspect could face a murder charge.

The suspect, who’d been under the watch of Hurley staff due to medical concerns and is being restrained, will be transferred to the Genesee County Jail once he’s medically cleared.

An arraignment is expected to take place within the next 24 hours, Swanson said.