Gulf News reports that police have not ruled out a hate crime in the beating death of Filipino American Robert Martines.
Witnesses have said they heard the suspect ask Martines if he was Filipino before punching him, sending him violently to the ground where he hit his head on the pavement this weekend.
But police say they have no evidence of that and are not investigating this as a hate crime, although Gulf News reports it has not been ruled out.
Martines died Tuesday in the hospital.
The Philippine Consulate has said they do not believe the attack was racially motivated.
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“The police are still investigating the case. It is still early at this point to make conclusions on the motive behind the assault,” Ambassador Charles Jose said.
Other reports have spelled Martines name Martires.