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AMERICAN FORK -- A man in American Fork was attacked early Thursday morning by two or three individuals who uttered gay slurs as they beat him.
American Fork Police say the man was taking out the trash while at work at Metropolitan Salon near 100 North Center Street around 12:45 a.m. when a man and possibly two others approached him and began beating him.
"While they were assaulting him, they made crude remarks," said Sgt. Gregg Ludlow.
Co-worker, Flavia, came into the Metropolitan Salon to meet a bridal client about 3 a.m. That's when she found her co-worker had been beaten. She called another employee and they helped him to the hospital, where he was treated for multiple injuries, including a broken nose and numerous cuts and bruises.
American Fork police were called about 10 a.m. Thursday to investigate. Detectives won't confirm if this is a hate crime, but they say it is all part of an ongoing investigation.
One of the attackers is described as a white male, about 5 feet 9 inches tall, police say. He was wearing dark cutoff shorts and combat boots.
Related:
Man attacked outside of nightclub
A Salt Lake City man says he's lucky to be alive after being brutally beaten outside a nightclub in what he calls a hate crime.The victim couldn't provide a description of any other individuals involved as he didn't see them during the assault.
"The victim just reported that he heard multiple voices," Ludlow said.
Two weeks ago, a gay man was attacked outside Club Sound in Salt Lake City. Dane Hall, 20, was leaving the dance club at 579 W. 200 South, late on Aug. 26 when he was beaten. As a result, Hall lost six teeth, suffered a broken jaw in multiple places and a piece of broken bone was shoved into his brain when his attackers "curbed" or "curb stomped" him.
Ludlow said police are investigating the American Fork attack, and can't say whether the two incidents are related, but it's "a definite possibility."
Police have not released the name of the victim in Thursday's attack.
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Written by Molly Farmer and Sam Penrod.
