Sabine County authorities say a fight between two friends at a campground earlier this month has left a Hemphill man in a coma.

Sheriff’s office officials say 49-year old Neal Shelton has been charged with two counts of first-degree aggravated assault and interference with an emergency call after he and 53-year old Richard Barlow of Hemphill got into an argument at Lakeview Recreation Park in the Six Mile community on Oct. 16.

After Barlow went to the ground unconscious, Shelton reportedly continued to beat and stomp on him.

Shelton also struck 60-year old George Ann Ferguson as she tried to break up the fight.

Sabine County Sheriff’s officials say Ferguson got Barlow into her car and drove him to the Sabine County Hospital where they were treated.

Barlow was airlifted to a Tyler hospital for treatment and then soon sent to hospice where he was taken off life support last Saturday.

Shelton is being held on a $510,000 bond.