Estimated read time: Less than a minute
This archived news story is available only for your personal, non-commercial use. Information in the story may be outdated or superseded by additional information. Reading or replaying the story in its archived form does not constitute a republication of the story.
SALT LAKE CITY — Police were investigating Monday whether an attack of a man who was sticking up for his gay friend raises to the level of a hate crime.
About 11:30 p.m. Friday, near 370 S. Main, two men got into a verbal argument with another group who "took offense to the perceived sexual preference" of the men, according to Salt Lake police. One of the men is gay and his friend, who was defending him, is straight, said Salt Lake police detective Greg Wilking.
Later, as the straight man was standing on the sidewalk, one of the men from the group he was arguing with sucker punched him in the face, knocked him unconscious and then ran off, according to police.
Anyone with information is asked to call police at 801-799-3000.
