Suspect Arrested Following Murder At Local Nursing Home

HICKORY, NC – Hickory Police have arrested Dennis Edward Scherzer, age 43 of Hickory and charged him with murder following an incident at Walden House Assisted Living Center on 3rd Avenue SE in Hickory.

Officials say that Roland Simmons, a 70 year old resident at the facility, was outside on the facility’s back patio area. Staff heard an altercation and that is when they observed Scherzer running from the scene. They called police and Scherzer was apprehended shortly after police arrived on the scene. Mr. Simmons died on the scene from what police describe as “extensive head trauma.”

Scherzer is being held in the Catawba County jail with no bond and is charged with murder. His first court date is scheduled for tomorrow, July 10th. Both Scherzer and Simmons were residents at Walden House, Catawba Valley Citizen has confirmed.