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Sam Penrod reporting University of Utah police are investigating the beating of a man Wednesday at the Stadium TRAX Station.
The victim is a Native American, and police are investigating if the beating was racially motivated. For now, one suspect is in jail on charges of aggravated assault.
At 1:30 Wednesday afternoon, the 32 year old victim was attacked while waiting for a TRAX train.
Witnesses reported the man was punched and kicked and may have been thrown against a steel fence as well. He suffered serious facial injuries, including cuts and bruises.
Sgt. Lynn Rohland, University of Utah Police: "When the officers got there, they found the victim and they need to call medical and the victim was transported to university hospital."
Two suspects boarded TRAX and got away before police arrived.
Several minutes later, two men were detained by police after they switched from the University train to the Sandy line.
Police contacted UTA and the operator held the train until officers arrived.
After both men were questioned, 25 year old Nickolaus Holgate was booked into jail on charges of aggravated assault.
Sgt. Lynn Rohland, University of Utah Police: "We're still really not sure what the motivation was, we're still trying to gather the facts, interview witnesses, talk to the victim, obviously, talk to the suspect."
Police are interested in talking to anyone at the TRAX station who may have witnessed how the assault began.
Sgt. Lynn Rohland, University of Utah Police: "If there were any witnesses if they could please come forward, call us at our PD, university police."
The victim is still in the hospital tonight. Police are asking anyone who saw what happened this afternoon, to give them a call.
