On May 21, 2026, at approximately 5 p.m., deputies with the Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office East Command Patrol, along with officers from the Splendora Police Department and the Texas Department of Public Safety, responded to a report of an assault involving a firearm in the 15800 block of East Relza Drive in Splendora.
Upon arrival, deputies located an adult male suffering from multiple gunshot wounds. Life-saving measures were immediately administered; however, the victim was pronounced deceased at the scene. The deceased has been identified as 41-year-old William Warhol III of Splendora.
The suspect, identified as 42-year-old Eric Ross Fergeson, was taken into custody and is currently being held in the Montgomery County Jail on a murder charge.
Preliminary investigators indicate the victim and suspect knew one another and shared mutual friends, family members and acquaintances. Investigators believe an unrelated vehicle accident earlier in the day led to escalating tensions between the two men. Authorities said the encounter began as a verbal altercation before turning violent.
Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office Major Crimes Detectives and Crime Scene Investigators responded to the scene and continue to investigate the incident.
“Our thoughts and prayers are with the Warhol family during this difficult time,” officials with MCSO said.