Randall Brett Merhar, 46

Randall Brett Merhar, a 46-year-old white man, died Thursday, July 28, after sustaining blunt force trauma in the 1400 block of North Orange Drive in Hollywood, according to Los Angeles County coroner’s office. 

About 10:40 a.m. July 27, Merhar got into a dispute with a man near the parking lot of a store, according to LAPD Lt. John Radtke. Both men were transients, Radtke said. 

During the dispute, the man struck Merhar in the head with a metal pipe, Radtke said. After Merhar fell down, the assailant left the scene. 

Shortly thereafter, police arrived, and Merhar was taken to the hospital where he was pronounced dead the next day at 6:51 a.m., according to coroner’s records. 

For the Record

6:30 p.m.: Aug. 31: A previous version of this article said Merhar died at 6:51 p.m. July 27. It should have said he died at 6:51 a.m. July 28.

Merhar was known for creating the animated comedy "Free for All." The seven-episode series aired in 2003 on Showtime and featured Merhar as the voice of one of the main characters.

On July 30, Travis Bateman, 30, was arrested and charged with murder, Radtke said. Police were able to identify Bateman using video footage from a nearby store and witness accounts. 

Bateman is also being charged with dissuading a witness, sale of a controlled substance, and criminal threats in an unrelated case. Bateman is scheduled to return to court Sept. 28.

Contact the Homicide Report. Follow @jeromercampbell and @latimeshomicide on Twitter.