INGLEWOOD, Calif. (CNS) - A San Francisco 49ers fan who was apparently assaulted while attending Sunday's NFC championship game at SoFi Stadium remained in a medically induced coma Thursday, as police continued their investigation into the attack.
Daniel Luna, 40, who owns a Peruvian fusion restaurant in Oakland called Mistura, was found injured in Parking Lot L of SoFi Stadium in Inglewood around 4 p.m. Sunday -- about 30 minutes after the start of the 49ers game against the Rams.
Luna, who was wearing a 49ers jersey, was taken to Harbor-UCLA Medical Center, where he was placed in a medically induced coma with extensive injuries to his face and upper body. Due to the nature of Luna's injuries, hospital officials notified Inglewood police.
Police were reviewing security video from the stadium in hopes of learning more about the attack.
It was unclear if Luna may have been targeted because he was wearing a 49ers jersey. But the attack was eerily reminiscent of the 2011 beating of San Francisco Giants fan Bryan Stow in a Dodger Stadium parking lot. Stow was left with permanent brain damage.
The 49ers issued a statement Thursday, saying, "What happened to Daniel Luna is reprehensible, and we strongly condemn all violence. We know local authorities are conducting a full investigation and we're here to support them however we can. Our thoughts and prayers go to Mr. Luna, his family, friends, and the medical team providing him care."
Vernon Hill, a friend of Luna's from Oakland who is in touch with his family, told the Los Angeles Times -- which first reported the attack -- that Luna still had his watch, wallet and phone when he was taken to the hospital, suggesting robbery was not a motive.
Luna flew to Los Angeles and attended the game alone after other fans who were to accompany him canceled, The Times reported.
The Rams won Sunday's game 20-17, in a game attended heavily by 49ers fans. The victory earned the Rams a berth in the Feb. 13 Super Bowl, which will also be held at SoFi Stadium.
