Police Look for Attacker Who Left Man in Coma

Police Look for Attacker Who Left Man in Coma


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Sandra Yi ReportingTwo weeks after a beating left a University of Utah student in a coma, police hope they have the clue to finding his attacker.

Danielle Freeman, Sister: "I just want them to know that they've ruined his life and devastated our family."

Police Look for Attacker Who Left Man in Coma

It happened outside a Salt Lake City night club. Police don't have a lot of answers in this case, but they hope surveillance video will prompt someone to point them toward a suspect.

Matthew Freeman was only a block away from his apartment when he was assaulted in a parking lot. It happened June 14th and he's been in a coma ever since.

Linda Freeman, Mother: "He's been fighting for his life for two weeks."

At 23-years old, Matthew Freeman's future is unknown. The only thing his family is sure of is that the University of Utah senior will spend his graduation day in the hospital.

Linda Freeman: "There was so much promise, he has so much to give the world, and right now, he might not be able to."

Police Look for Attacker Who Left Man in Coma

On June 14, Freeman was at the Vortex night club in Salt Lake City. Police say as he walked home, he got into a fight with a group of people in a parking lot. Someone punched Freeman. The blow was devastating.

Danielle Freeman: "A lot was taken from him. His future was taken from him that night, and it's just awful."

But detectives are investigating a new lead. Surveillance video from a Salt Lake City 7-11 store, shows a man using Freeman's ATM card on June 15th, after the attack. Police say he's a person of interest. The video gives the Freeman family some hope.

Danielle Freeman: "No one should have to go through this; not Matthew, not anybody's family should have to go through this."

Freeman transferred to the U from North Carolina State University two years ago. His family, who is in town from North Carolina, says he's an honor roll student with a generous heart, who once gave a homeless man the shirt off his back. They say Freeman isn't a fighter and have no idea why anyone would want to hurt him. They hope for justice.

Linda Freeman: "I hope they're found. I hope the people responsible for it, that they never have the opportunity to do this to someone else's son or brother."

Police are hoping any witnesses will come forward. They say the suspect may be driving a red or orange Dodge/Plymouth Neon. If you have any information, call Salt Lake City Police.

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