A U.S. Navy veteran accused of fatally attacking a Southern California man who was known for displaying signs supporting President Donald Trump and American flags outside his home has been charged with murder, prosecutors announced Wednesday.

Thomas Caleb Butler, 32, of Escondido, California, was initially charged with attempted murder, elder abuse, making criminal threats, and battery in connection with the May 20 assault on Kerry Sheron, 69. The San Diego County District Attorney's Office said the charges were upgraded after Sheron died from his injuries several days later.

Butler is scheduled to appear in court Friday in Vista Superior Court. A hearing scheduled for Wednesday was postponed after the defendant refused to attend court.

He has previously pleaded not guilty to the original charges and remains in custody without bail.

Sheron was attacked outside his home in Escondido, a city about 30 miles northeast of San Diego. Police responding to reports of an assault found him suffering from severe injuries.

He was rushed to a hospital and remained in critical condition before dying four days later. Authorities have not publicly released his official cause and manner of death, which remain subject to a medical examination.

"The violent assault and murder of Kerry Sheron outside his own home has left his family and community shaken and grieving the veteran's senseless loss of life," San Diego County District Attorney Summer Stephan said in a statement Wednesday.

"The investigation will continue to seek answers to the relevant aspects of this case."

Prosecutors have described the attack as unprovoked. During earlier court proceedings, Deputy District Attorney Ross Garcia alleged that Butler struck Sheron in the jaw, causing him to fall, and then continued striking him in the head area after he was on the ground.

A bystander who attempted to intervene was also injured.

Investigators have not announced a motive and have said it remains unclear whether Butler and Sheron knew each other before the confrontation. Authorities also have not determined whether politics played any role in the attack.

Sheron was well known in North County San Diego for a highly visible display of American flags, patriotic banners, and signs supporting Trump outside his residence, which local residents often referred to as the "Trump House." The property had drawn both supporters and critics over the years.

Family members described Sheron as an Army veteran, longtime chef, and active member of his church and community. His wife, Maria Garcia, told local media that the family had previously experienced harassment and threats related to the political displays outside their home, although none had escalated into violence before the fatal attack.

According to military records, Butler served in the U.S. Navy from December 2011 until January 2023 as an information systems technician. His service included multiple duty assignments, and he received awards connected to counterterrorism and global war on terrorism operations.

Neither Butler's attorney nor members of his family immediately commented on the upgraded murder charge.