Indian-origin man in the US dies after attack outside motel

PTC News Desk: Following a hit to the face at a motel parking lot in the US state of Oklahoma last week, a 59-year-old Indian-American man passed away. According to authorities, the event happened late on June 22, on a Saturday, close to Meridian Avenue and Interstate 40.

Richard Lewis, 41, was accosted by the victim, Hemant Shantilal Mistry, a motel manager originally from Gujarat, who asked him to leave the property. The request became more urgent when Lewis allegedly struck Mr. Mistry in the face.

On social media, a video of the attack has gone viral. Lewis, dressed in a sky blue t-shirt, and Mr. Mistry, dressed in a white t-shirt, are seen fighting violently in the footage. The altercation swiftly intensified prior to Lewsis striking Mr. Mistry in the face. Lewis continued walking away as the 59-year-old fell to the ground. 

When the police arrived at the scene at around 10:00 p.m., they discovered Mr. Mistry unconscious. He was sent to a local hospital right away, but the next day at 7:40 p.m., he passed away from his wounds in spite of medical intervention.

Shortly afterward, Richard Lewis, the suspect, was taken into custody at a hotel on the 1900 block of S. Meridian Avenue. After being detained, he is being held in the Oklahoma County Jail on a $100,000 bond, where he is being charged with battery and aggravated assault.

Although Lewis’s unwillingness to leave the property has not yet been fully explained by police, a comprehensive investigation has been started to identify the.