SAN JOSE – An unhoused man who died following a brutal assault late last month at a Valley Transportation Authority light rail station in North San Jose has been identified as Michael Patrick Howard, the Santa Clara County Medical-Examiner’s Office said.
The attack happened Sept. 29 at the Gish station, located at East Gish Road and North First Street, according to the Santa Clara County Sheriff’s Office. Deputies found Howard, 42, suffering from serious head injuries.
An investigation determined Howard had been severely beaten. He was taken to an area hospital, where he died Oct. 8.
Brandon Fryshaw, 23, was arrested in connection with the assault and booked into county jail.
He is still being held without bail at the Main Jail in San Jose, jail records showed.
Detectives are investigating Fryshaw’s connection to a separate assault, also in late September, of another unhoused person at the St. James light rail station, according to the sheriff’s office.