Cops Hunt for
Attacker in Salt Lake City Beating

Salt Lake City police are searching for a man suspected of beating a gay man on August 9; it is unclear why they are releasing details of the attack now. The victim told police he had been with his sister at a lookout point overlooking the city when the suspect approached them, according to KUTV in Salt Lake. The suspect took a photo with the victim and then asked if he was gay. When the victim affirmed that he was, the suspect, with a group of other men, began beating the victim.

The man in the attack has undergone reconstructive surgery to repair his orbital bone.

The assailant is said to be a Polynesian man in his 20s.

The attack has several similarities to an attack in the city of South Salt Lake on July 4, according to the Deseret News. In that incident, David "DJ" Bell and his partner, Dan Fair, were severely beaten by a Polynesian family who believed Bell had kidnapped two of their young children. Bell was charged with kidnapping and is currently awaiting trial. Fair, who had his eye socket broken and has undergone several surgeries, was not arrested. (The Advocate)