SALT LAKE CITY, Utah (KGTV) - The man accused of brutally beating a Salt Lake City teen and his father will not face a hate crime charge, the Salt Lake Tribune reported Monday.
Salt Lake City Police said Alan Covington, 50, walked into Lopez Tires the morning of Nov. 27 and said “I’m going to kill someone.” Witnesses also heard Covington say he wanted to “kill a Mexican person”, KTVX reported.
Covington waved a square metal pipe at the men inside the business, who escaped onto the front sidewalk, police said. 19-year-old Luis Lopez was struck in the head, according to Lopez’ family.
The right side of Lopez' face was shattered and a titanium plate was inserted, his sister reported. Lopez’ father Jose was also injured and suffered a bruised back, family members said. He also needed eight stitches in his arm.
Salt Lake City Police told the Salt Lake Tribune it appears Covington was under the influence of drugs during the attack and had some “mental health issues”. He was booked on counts including aggravated assault, possession of drug paraphernalia and possession of a controlled substance.
A GoFundMe account has raised almost three times its goal of $20,000. The Lopez' do not have health insurance.
